Inside the Boston Subway: Protecting Steel and Concrete with Water-Based Coatings
A subway system isn't exactly the easiest place to carry out a coating project.
Thousands of passengers depend on it.
The structures are exposed to moisture, pollution and constant use.
And underneath the city, access can be challenging.
That's why the renovation of sections of the Boston subway system is such an interesting example of modern protective coating technology.
The Challenge
Boston's subway infrastructure includes a huge amount of steel and concrete that has to remain operational for decades.
Over time, exposed surfaces can deteriorate through moisture, weathering and general environmental exposure.
Renovation therefore needs to do more than make an old surface look better.
The coating system needs to help protect the underlying structure while being suitable for the practical demands of working around major transport infrastructure.
The Solution
RD Coatings supplied two products for the renovation:
RD-Elastoflex and RD-Elastometal.
The products were selected for their ability to provide protective performance across different substrates and applications.
RD-Elastoflex provides a flexible protective coating suitable for concrete and exterior surfaces, while RD-Elastometal is designed for metal protection and combines anti-corrosion and waterproofing characteristics.
Why Water-Based?
One of the interesting aspects of the project is the use of water-based coating technology in major infrastructure.
Water-based systems can provide advantages including reduced solvent content, lower odour and easier handling compared with traditional solvent-heavy systems.
For projects involving public infrastructure, these characteristics can be particularly useful.
The Bigger Picture
A subway system isn't something you can simply shut down and repaint whenever you want.
Maintenance needs to be carefully planned around operations, access and long-term asset protection.
The Boston subway renovation demonstrates how specialist coating systems can become part of a much wider infrastructure maintenance strategy.
The goal isn't just to make old infrastructure look new.
It's to help protect it for the years ahead.
Looking for a specialist coating for steel, concrete or infrastructure?
Industrial Coatings Ltd can help you find the right product for your application.
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