Evonik's Coating Additives business line has developed a new tool Coatino Defect Detection (CDD) for the digital analysis of coated test samples. 

Coatino Defect Detection (CDD), which precisely and objectively detects and evaluates coating defects within a few seconds the system delivers quantifiable results.

So far, laboratory personnel have had to rely on visually evaluating samples when developing a new formulation. Many samples must be carefully compared and evaluated. This routine work is very time-consuming, especially for larger test series, and thus noticeably limits the scope for innovation.

"COATINO Defect Detection simplifies our customers' daily laboratory routine and frees them up for other important tasks," explains Oliver Krohl, Head of Strategic Business Development at Coating Additives.

"In addition, our digital solution delivers objectively reproducible results. This means that the evaluation of test samples no longer depends on the subjective assessment of laboratory personnel," added Krohl.

The Defect Detection, part of Evonik Coating Additives' COATINO formulation network, saves lab experts a lot of time: They use a camera connected to the computer to photograph the coated samples. Within seconds the tool assesses them, using innovative image recognition methods.

Coating defects are evaluated to an accuracy of a tenth of a percent and processed in a clear manner. "For example, you can immediately see what percentage of the surface is affected by foam," says Philipp Isken, COATINO Product Development.

“Reference formulations or blank samples can also be added to more clearly highlight the performance of the tested formulations. Based on the data, you can select the best formulation for the specific application," added Isken.