Designers can use software to help them make decisions about coatings and surface treatment, especially with regard to the compliance, regulatory, and risk issues relating to restricted substances. The Coatings Data Module is a dataset that covers more than 100 coatings. Each coating is described in a reference record that details more than 60 properties, including  technical specs, restricted substances, substitutions, and costs, among others. Coating types range from traditional (e.g. cadmium plate with chromate-conversion) to alternative (e.g. aluminum and low hydrogen embrittlement zinc-nickel). The dataset can be added to materials databases stored in the GRANTA MI system, which provides tools to browse, search, and use the data.

Granta Design Ltd.
Cambridge, UK, +44 1223 518895