HIGH SPEED TRAINS NECESSITATE IMPROVED QUALITY CONTROL OF METAL PRETREATMENT.

The advent of the new generation of high speed trains has necessitated a review of the ″quality of control″ of painting practices. Factors influencing this are change in construction of rolling stock and increased susceptibility to impact damage due to higher running speeds. To meet the high standard required it has been necessary to critically examine initial surface preparation of the steel, the phospating process and the painting process. Modern trends in workshop practice have led to more frequent repainting of stock. The effects of variable surface preparation and the overstressing of multi-coat oxidizing paint films on the critical balance between substrate adhesion and stress development are also considered.