Field tests, exposure tests, and laboratory tests of the coating composed of zinc and other metals were carried out for the purpose of preventing corrosion of track materials in tunnels and the following results were obtained.
1) Corrosive condition in tunnels under steam traction was in weak acid state, but zinc coating was effective for the prevention of cracks in the areas of rail joints.
2) By any procedures of application, the durability of zinc coating was almost proportional to the amount of the coated zinc in the above condition.
3) Corrosion resistance of zinc was sensitive to corrosive condition and the durability of zinc coating highly depended upon the types of tunnels or the positions in the tunnel.
4) Tests were also carried out on other metallic coatings than zinc, but none of them were more effective than zinc coating.