nanonews

ALLAHABAD: To extend the life of railway coaches and give them a fresh look, the Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) plans to use paints based on nanotechnology in the coaches. Such paints are considered superior to the conventional paints and would greatly prevent corrosion and impart a smarter look to the railway coaches.

Speaking to TOI, NCR spokesperson Amit Malviya said, “In nanotechnology paint system, gaps between nano size particles are minimal due to self assembly features (ordered nano structures) incorporated and small size articles. Inorganic nano materials are structurally defect free and this leads to robustness in performance. In nano tech paints, novel features are incorporated in nano materials and dispersed in paint matrix. Thus nano technology paint system is superior to the conventional paint system.”

Nanotechnology is the precise and controlled fabrication or assembly of atoms and molecules at nanometer dimensions, into novel materials and devices with unique properties.

Railway coaches have a fixed schedule of undergoing repairs in the Indian rail system. The coaches undergo periodic over hauling after 18 months during which coaches’ parts are segregated while damaged parts are replaced. The coaches are also given a new look with a new coating of paint. With the use of nanotechnology painting system, the coaches would get a smarter and robust look.

Nano paints have other benefits too. They have outstanding adhesion – the paint is embedded in the wall’s surface and are resistant to ultraviolet rays,fungi, water, dirt and any blistering. These paints have elastomeric matrix (stretchable paint that covers cracks) for a smooth clean finish and have highly robust finished surface due to inorganic nano particles.