M&C Directorate

Note No. M&C/PCN/WP Date: 29.08.2013

Sub: Framing of Specification (No. M&C/PCN/130/2009) for Epoxy cum Acrylic PU

Full Gloss High Performance Coating System for Exterior Coating of Wagons
Ref: Director/Wagon’s Note No. MW/Paint dated 11.12.08 and 26.11.12

Based upon the requirement of Wagon Directorate vide their letter No. MW/Paint dated
11.12.08, a project was undertaken in this Directorate in the year 2009 with the approval of
ED/M&C for the “Development of for Epoxy cum Acrylic PU Full Gloss High Performance
Coating System (Two Pack) for Exterior Coating of SS Wagons”. The effort was made to develop
a paint system, requiring lesser number of coats so that the productivity can be increased.
Accordingly, a project report No. MC-142 was published on Feb’2010 based on our laboratory
evaluation. Later on this painting system was applied on 250 wagons in BESCO, Kolkata and field
performance report, as collected from Mughalsarai depot, was also found to be satisfactory. This
paint is having a three coat system, vis-à-vis our existing four coat system of M&C/PCN/102/2009
and M&C/PCN/109/2009. This particular paint system does not have any obnoxious smell as
reported by the workers who are dealing with the paint during application. The specification for
“Epoxy cum Acrylic PU Full Gloss High Performance Coating System (Two Pack)” has been
developed for use as exterior coating of SS wagons considering the advantages of higher
productivity of wagons through this paint system.

As per VAG Clause No. 4.35.3, the draft specification has been put up on the RDSO
website for the duration of more than one month for comments by the vendors or other external
bodies or persons. All approved vendors of Epoxy PU painting system of coaches have also been
informed specifically vide letter no. M&C/PCN/WP dated 24.05.13 to send their comments on
draft specification. The following comments/suggestions have been obtained from different
approved suppliers of this paint system.

SN Comment/s Comments/Suggestions Reasons for acceptance/rejection

uggestions
offered by
the firm
1. M/s. Akzo In the case of primer, we are ok Too much lowering of flash point may
Nobel with all the parameters, except the cause fire hazards. Hence, the value
Coating flash point- we would want the of flash point may not require any
India Pvt flash point to be mentioned as >20 change at this stage.
Ltd, deg C.
Bangalore
(placed at
SN 111)
 -2-

SN Comment/s Comments/Suggestions Reasons for acceptance/rejection

uggestions
offered by
the firm
M/s. Akzo In the case of Finish, we have the
Nobel following comments to make
Coating
India Pvt 1. Hard Dry Time – Our The main purpose of the introduction
Ltd, recommendation would be 6 of this paint system is to increase the
Bangalore hours max. productivity of wagons by reducing
(placed at the time of application of the painting
SN 111) system. This can be done by reducing
the number of coats and by reducing
hard dry time of primer/finish. So, the
increase of the specified value of hard
dry time may not be justified.

2. Flash Point - < 30 deg C The flash point of the Finish may be
changed as ‘above 30°C’ to make
uniformity with the primer.

3. Pot Life – 2 hours min @ 25 Lowering of Pot Life is not desirable

Deg C for the application point of view

4. Pot Life – 45 mins @ 40 Lowering of Pot Life is not desirable

Deg C for the application point of view
5. Accelerated Weathering –
The accelerated weathering test has
750 hours in UVA lamp
been specified for the exposure of
with 80% gloss retention
both UV light and water for 750
hours. The removal of the exposure of
water is not possible at this stage,
because withdrawal of this condition
may cause relaxation of the
specification.

The reasoned document has been prepared containing all suggestions and comments obtained from the
vendors, railways and other external bodies. The reasons for accepting/rejecting the suggestions have also
been recorded in the table as mentioned above. Based on the accepted changes, the draft specification has
been modified accordingly and these modifications have been marked with RED color.

(I.S. Das)
DD/Chem
Director/M&C