This standard recommended practice encompasses the requirements for expert application of a quality coating system to the interior surfaces of covered steel hopper rail cars that have been prepared to a specified, recognized standard. Qualified inspection of the completed coating system and testing by the use of adequate, readily available instruments are also covered in this standard.

     Customers of plastics and food service products are requiring a higher level of cleanliness and rust-free interior surfaces in covered hopper rail cars. Hopper car owners and coating applicators alike have found the need to reevaluate their specifications and application procedures in an effort to overcome problem areas of application such as weld seams in the vapor space. Coating manufacturers, coating applicators, and those who have contracting authority for hopper car internal coating installation should be able to use this standard to ascertain the facilities, equipment, and personnel needed to satisfy the requirements for hopper car coating systems in critical service. This standard is applicable for hopper car coating systems when the intended service requires the degree of rust-free surface and cleanliness that is being requested for coating systems in the plastic, food, and chemical industries.

    Because there was not an industry standard for coating the interior of covered hopper cars that recognizes the emerging need for a high-quality hopper car coating system, this NACE standard was originally prepared by Task Group T-6A-56, a component of Unit Committee T-6A on Coating and Lining Materials for Immersion Service, and published by NACE under the auspices of Group Committee T-6 on Protective Coatings and Linings in 1986. NACE Task Group T-14C-2 on Exterior Coatings for Rail Cars revised this standard in 1992. This standard was reaffirmed in 1997 by Unit Committee T-14C on Rail Equipment Corrosion and is published under the auspices of Group Committee T-14 on Corrosion in the Transporation Industry.

1.1 This standard describes a procedure for the application of a coating system to the interior surfaces of covered steel hopper rail cars used primarily in the plastic, food, and chemical industries.

1.2 The requirements for surface preparation, coating application, inspection, and quality tests necessary for internally coating a covered steel hopper car are covered in this standard.

1.3 This standard calls attention to basic safety precautions regarding the handling and use of coating materials and solvents. Chapter 1 of NACE Publication TPC 2contains more detailed information. Material safety data sheets (MSDS) supplied by the coating manufacturer provide specific safety information.

1.4 Appendix A is a suggested covered hopper car coating system inspection report form.

1 .5 Appendix B describes essential facilities and equipment for application of a coating system to the interior of covered hopper cars.

Historical Document 1997