Railways

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Trusted finishing sealing and bonding partner for railway manufacturers and operators worldwide

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Manual coating at railways repair shop

Save up to 30% of paint, 25% of cycle time and obtain high finishing quality with Sames Xcite+ manual gun spra...

Robotic coating of rail car

Spray SB-2K primer & topcoat with robotic electrostatic bell

Robotic painting of train component

Save up to 30% of paint. Return On Investment usually between 12 to 24 months.

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O,3% CO₂ emission

for 8% passengers. Railways is green

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30% increase

of freight modal share by 2030

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ISO 9466

first global coating standard for passenger rail vehicles

railways icon
7% total

passenger km per railways

Trusted worldwide, Sames delivers reliable coating, bonding and sealing solutions that keep railway fleets safe, efficient and sustainable.

The railway market calls for solutions that combine durability, safety, efficiency, and sustainability across the entire rolling stock lifecycle. Passenger trains, metros, and freight fleets must withstand harsh environments, mechanical stress, and long service lives, while also meeting strict fire-safety and regulatory standards. At the same time, operators face constant pressure to improve productivity, reduce lifecycle costs, and minimize environmental impact.
At Sames, we are recognized as a trusted partner with global references and unmatched service proximity. Our customers value not only our broad process expertise but also our ability to provide cost-saving and environmentally responsible solutions.
From exterior and interior coatings to bonding, sealing, damping, and refinishing, we deliver innovative application systems and patented technologies that ensure consistent quality and regulatory compliance. Whether supporting OEMs in manufacturing or operators in maintenance, we provide the application know-how, field service, and integration support that turns advanced coating trends into reliable, long-term value.
With a proven track record worldwide, Sames helps railway manufacturers and operators achieve safer, cleaner, and more efficient fleets all while advancing their sustainability goals.

Railway market FAQ

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  • Is there any specific railways standards relative to coating?

    Yes, railway coatings must comply with strict standards for durability, corrosion resistance, and fire safety. While many national and operator-specific standards exist, the upcoming ISO 9466 aims to unify global requirements, simplifying compliance across the industry.
    More details:
    Railway coatings are subject to rigorous performance criteria to ensure long-term protection against environmental stress, mechanical wear, and fire hazards. Until now, different countries and railway operators have enforced their own specifications, such as EN 45545 for fire protection in Europe or AAR M-1003 for North American railways.
    The upcoming ISO 9466 standard is set to establish a globally recognized framework, harmonizing testing protocols and coating performance expectations. This will help manufacturers streamline certification processes and ensure consistent quality across international railway projects.
    At Sames, we stay ahead of evolving regulations, offering coating solutions that meet current and future railway standards for durability, safety, and efficiency.

  • What make protective coating different from other coatings?

    Protective coatings are designed first and foremost to prevent degradation not to decorate. Their success is measured in years of corrosion resistance, not in gloss or color uniformity.
    Unlike decorative or finishing coatings, which aim for visual appeal, protective coatings serve a structural purpose: they shield the substrate often steel or aluminum from corrosion, chemicals, abrasion, and UV. This involves selecting not just a coating type, but also applying the right system, with the right surface preparation, film build, and application method.
    There are several protective technologies:
    - Liquid protective coatings (typically 2K epoxies, polyurethanes, or zinc-rich primers) offer tailored barrier and cathodic protection, especially on large complex structures.
    - Powder coatings offer excellent edge coverage and chemical resistance, particularly when combined with proper pre-treatment and curing.
    - E-coat (electrophoretic deposition) is highly uniform and ideal for internal cavities or complex geometries often used as a primer before topcoats in automotive and general industry.
    What really sets protective coatings apart is the margin for error or lack thereof. While a cosmetic defect in a decorative system might be tolerated, an undercured primer or a pinhole in a protective system can result in catastrophic failure over time. Key parameters include:
    - Surface preparation quality (usually Sa 2½ or better)
    - Correct DFT (Dry Film Thickness)
    - Environmental control during application and curing
    - Accurate mixing and pot life control (for multi-component systems)
    Protective coatings are part of a corrosion management strategy, not just a layer of paint. Success depends on a holistic approach combining material selection, proper equipment, trained operators, and rigorous inspection.
    👉 In corrosion protection, beauty is not skin deep it’s all about what’s happening underneath.

  • What should I know when selecting equipment for protective coating process?

    Precision, reliability, and compatibility with your coating system are not optional they’re essential for long-term corrosion protection.
    When choosing equipment for protective coatings, you're not just buying a spray gun or pump you're selecting a tool to apply a controlled and certified protective system. The stakes are higher than in decorative painting: a small defect today can become a big failure tomorrow.
    Here’s what truly matters:
    1. Material compatibility
    Protective coatings are often high-solids, high viscosity, and chemically aggressive (think zinc-rich primers, epoxy mastics, or polysiloxanes). Your pumps, hoses, seals, and guns must be chemically compatible and robust enough to handle such products especially over long projects.
    2. Precise control of flow and mixing
    For 2K and 3K systems, accurate ratio control is non-negotiable. Even a slight off-ratio mix can result in underperformance or premature failure. Equipment should ensure reliable dosing, mixing, and flow monitoring ideally with automated ratio control and alarms.
    3. Application consistency
    Uniform film thickness is critical whether you're applying a 75µm epoxy primer or a 500µm high-build coating. Your equipment must allow operators to maintain stable pressure, fan pattern, and spray rate, even in demanding field conditions.
    4. Heating and temperature stability
    High viscosity coatings often require pre-heating to reduce pressure loss and ensure good atomization but without degrading the material. Temperature control helps maintain consistent application properties, especially in varying climates.
    5. Cleaning and downtime management
    Protective coatings are typically fast-curing. Equipment with efficient flushing systems, reduced dead zones, and easy maintenance will minimize downtime and reduce the risk of blockage or cross-contamination between materials.
    6. Ergonomics and safety
    Application is often done in harsh environments on scaffolding, inside tanks, or in confined spaces. Choose equipment that’s ergonomic, lightweight, and designed to reduce operator fatigue while complying with ATEX and safety regulations.

  • What are the different type of coatings for railways rolling-stock?

    Railway coatings are generally categorized into four main types: exterior, interior, technical, and special coatings, each addressing specific protection and performance needs.
    See more:
    In the railway industry, coatings are typically sub-segmented into exterior, interior, technical, and special coatings, each with specific purposes and industry trends. Exterior coatings protect and decorate train exteriors, with mainstream types including waterborne and solventborne topcoats, as well as powder coatings, and current trends focusing on anti-graffiti properties, enhanced durability against weathering, UV exposure, and mechanical abrasion. Interior coatings, applied in passenger areas, generally use low-VOC waterborne formulations or two-component systems, with trends emphasizing compliance with fire safety standards such as EN 45545, integration of antimicrobial properties, and environmentally sustainable formulations to meet increasingly strict VOC and emission regulations. Technical coatings for components such as bogies, chassis, and underframes rely mainly on 2K epoxy primers and polyurethane topcoats, with trends directed at improved corrosion resistance, longer service life under harsh environmental conditions, and process standardization to support consistent application. Special coatings address functional requirements including thermal insulation, electromagnetic interference shielding, or anti-icing, often utilizing specialized thermal, conductive, or anti-icing formulations, with current trends emphasizing multifunctional performance and tailored solutions to meet specific operational and environmental challenges.

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