Indestructible Rail Vehicle Paint

Two highly versatile and robust epoxy coating systems have now been introduced by specialist manufacturer, Indestructible Paint Ltd. with benefits for the rail industry

The first development is centred on the introduction of the company’s RWIP120 product for the rail sector based on four decades of experience of coating technology in many of the most challenging global environments.

Indestructible Paint’s RWIP120, which is fully compliant with CR/PE0102 Repainting of Rail Vehicles specification, offers a range of performance benefits and, significantly, is available as either a one or two coat system.

Underframe coating objectives can often be achieved by the use of the system as a single 120 micron primer/finish coating, particularly as there are no specific aesthetic considerations while, in other areas, it can comprise a separate 60 micron primer with an additional 60 micron finish coat. Where appropriate it can also then be over-coated with other Indestructible Paint finishes, epoxies, and polyurethanes while customer needs can be further met by a choice of colours available from a matt to full gloss finish.

Indestructible Paint’s RWIP120 has been proven on a range of substrates, many of which are a common feature in the rail sector. These include steel, aluminium, galvanised and composite surfaces which all gain from the composition of the epoxy and its chemical bonding characteristics. The cured coating is a tough chemically resilient finish that has been tested against a variety of corporate and national standards.

The system is part of a family of coatings that have been developed at Indestructible Paint which are based on high grade, twopart epoxy coatings that have a long and successful track record in the Aerospace and Land Defence sectors.

The performance capability of the RWIP120 range covers a long list of challenges faced by rail operators. From impact, chip and scratch resistance to the ability to withstand high temperatures, high humidity environments, all are key benefits as are proven resistance to abrasion, salt spray and wash plant operations.

The second development is the RWIP3000 product, a thin film intumescent coating which, when intumesced, forms a barrier to protect the substrate from burning for a specific number of minutes dependant on thickness, and when used in conjunction with a heat absorbing primer, RWIP3000 is further suitable for hot areas typically found under a train, example, around an exhaust area/motors. The RWIP3000 performs on a range of substrates, including metals, timber and composites, suitable for both air and forceddrying, the coating maintains excellent adhesion – including, importantly for the rail sector, where high air movement is present.

RWIP3000 is normally applied as a primer/sealer intumescent coating which can then be overcoated with a twocomponent epoxy or polyurethane topcoat –it can be applied either by spray or brush.

As a clear demonstration of the performance capability of RWIP3000, Indestructible Paint points to a specific testing operation centred on exposure to an 1100°C flame, with the flame positioned 10cm from a 4mm anodised aluminium substrate, the panel condition remained satisfactory, with internal pressure maintained, after a five-minute exposure period, by comparison, over the same period a non-coated panel distorts and deteriorates before splitting, exploding and completely melting. Similarly, the Indestructible Paint coating has been shown to maintain heat resistance when exposed to 180°C heat source for more than 100 hours.

Typical performance to exposure to 1100 degrees C flame.

Two 0.6-meter panels of 4mm anodised aluminium. One coated with RWIP3000 @ 300 microns dft. and the other left uncoated. Both are pressurised to 5psi. An SAE 15 cm diameter propane burner (116350 BTU) is positioned 10cm from the centre of each panel.

Results analysed in following table.

Uncoated Panel Panel coated with RWIP3000

Panel distorted outwards Panel and coating intact

Deterioration rapidly decreasing Intumescent barrier formed with adhesion to substrate

Three + minutes Explosion. Panel splits, centre blows out Intumescent barrier formed with adhesion to substrate

Five minutes Panel completely melted. Condition satisfactory. Internal pressure maintained

Coating

After 7 days