PVD hard coating is one of the best methods for optimising the hardness to residual compressive stress ratio. It uses a similar vacuum deposition coating method as the standard PVD coating that coats the product with a film of hard refractory material 2-7 microns thick. The differences between PVD hard coating and the standard PVD coating are:

  • The materials enclosed in the vacuum chamber are heated to a maximum temperature of 500 celcius
  • The duration of the coating time is longer
  • 10x hardness
  • TiN
  • TiCN
  • CrC
  • AlTiN or TiAlN

Types of Coating : Titanium Nitride (TiN)
Hardness (HV) : 2000 – 2750
Thickness (µm) : 2 – 5
Colour : Gold
Coating Temperature (°C) : ~350

Types of Coating : Titanium Carbo-Nitride (TiCN)
Hardness (HV) : 3000 – 3500
Thickness (µm) : 2 – 5
Colours : Greyish-Black
Coating Temperature (°C) : ~500

Types of Coating : Chromium Carbide (CrC)
Hardness (HV) : 3000 – 3500
Thickness (µm) : 2 – 5
Colours : Dark grey – Black
Coating Temperature (°C) : ~350

 

Types of Coating : Aluminium Titanium Nitride (AlTiN) or Titanium Aluminium Nitride (TiAlN)
Hardness (HV) : 2900 – 3300
Thickness (µm) : 1.8 – 3.5
Colours : Dark grey – Black
Coating Temperature (°C) : ~400 – 425