The designation system is not, however, to be construed as specifications. Registration numbers are assigned to distinct compositions based on requests submitted to the Group. Anyone may submit a request for consideration. They must also be non-proprietary, or licensable and in the public domain. The Standards Advisory Group normally meets in New York in August at CDA headquarters and in December, in conjunction with the CDA Annual meeting.
Consideration is given to all submittals at that time.
It is expected that submittals be accompanied with appropriate physical and mechanical data sheets. All information keyed to the registration number, is entered into the CDA database and made available upon request. At some point in the near future, the database will be available on the Internet. New compositions are driven by the need for improved performance, and are undoubtedly accompanied with cost effectiveness considerations. The technical difference in the alloys relating to their selection for an application is always based on a combination of their attributes.