Granta Releases Coatings Data Module For Oil & Gas

Cambridge, UK - Granta Design has announced a new release of its coatings data module. This growing information resource supports strategic decision-making about coatings, taking full account of complex performance, cost, compliance, regulatory, and risk factors.

The new release has focused on extending the coverage of coatings to include those typically used in the oil & gas sector. It now covers over one hundred and forty coatings of different types, including: anodizing, corrosion inhibitor, conversion, CVD, electro/electroless plate, heat treat, PVD, and thermal spray. This information is crucial when working with new products, for example when considering the best options to enhance corrosion resistance, as well as established products, such as when assessing impact of increasing restricted substance regulation.

Working with Rowan Technology Group, experts in advanced materials and coatings, Granta continue to develop this resource documenting traditional coatings (such as cadmium plate with chromate-conversion) alongside new and alternative coatings (such as aluminum and low-hydrogen embrittlement zinc-nickel, with trivalent and non-chrome sealers). Each coating is described in a well-referenced record detailing over sixty technical, restricted substance, substitution, cost, and other properties. Coatings are critical in many engineering applications, enabling designers to control mechanical, electrical, thermal, durability, corrosion, and other properties, as well as the look and feel of a product. But coatings add complexity to design decisions. Designers must not only choose a coating that meets functional and cost requirements, but also avoid problems with manufacture, supply, or restricted substance regulations, such as the European Union’s REACH.

The Coatings Data Module is available for use with the GRANTA MI materials information management system, making the growing range of coating information quick and easy to browse, search, and apply. For example, the answer to questions about the restricted substance status for a coating can be rapidly obtained. The system goes beyond a legislative look-up table, however, as designers and engineers can rapidly identify potential substitute coatings that meet a particular engineering requirement. Related substances, materials, coatings, legislations, and company material and process specifications are linked. The combination of this data and supporting software can help avoid part non compliance and/or stock redundancy issues, by enabling designers to develop new parts with coatings that are not at risk of requiring substitution during the part's production lifecycle.

“We’re pleased to extend the coverage of this key data resource,” comments Dr Patrick Coulter, chief operating officer at Granta Design, “and to see it being used to tackle important problems relating to coatings, surface treatments, and restricted substances.”