The Department of Energy

When the DOE transfers nuclear waste by rail, a containment liner system is required in each of these Gondola Railcars.  The liner must be flexible with high impact, abrasion and tear resistance. The system must be uniformly applied with predictability, where speed of installation is critical.  Many lining systems were evaluated and several tried, including other polyurea systems.  Most of these materials lack flexibility and impact resistance which causes those lining systems to crack as the gondola cars travel down the tracks.

EnviroLastic® AR 425 was chosen because of it’s superior physical performance and the experience and track record of the Certified Contractor network of applicators, that assured the DOE of a professional installation.  The ability of the EnviroLastic® AR 425 polyurea system to be applied as a continuous, seamless membrane presents many advantages.  During loading and unloading of the gondola railcars, there are no edges that can catch the load thus possibly holding up the material or ripping the lining system.  The smooth, hard surface allows for faster product unloading.

The interior of the cars were first blasted to a 2 – 3 mil, white metal profile.  This allows for an excellent anchor profile on the substrate.  The EnviroLastic® AR 425 was then applied to a film thickness of 70 mils.  The lining surface was dry within 30 seconds.  Once the lining job is completed, these gondola railcars can be immediately put into service.

Project: Gondola Railcar Lining

Owner: The Department of Energy (DOE)

GC / Mgr. Fluor Daniel / Boston Transit

System: EnviroLastic® AR 425

Area: 85 cars (102,000 square feet)

Thickness: 70 mil (1.78 mm)

Completed: February, 1999