The basic objective is to improve production control and R&D efficiency for novel Zn-based alloy coatings. This will be accomplished by adapting and evaluating a range of advanced analytical and data treatment techniques for fast and complete characterisation of such coatings.

Since the introduction of this novel coating types are of major strategic importance for the European steel industry, a very broad consortium of major steel companies and several expert laboratories has been formed. A very wide range of analytical techniques and development of an expert system based on the most advanced data treatment methods available will be used. Also, limited on-line trials in a pilot plant will be included in the final phase of the project.