FAQs

General Information

What is PVD?

PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition, a surface enhancement technology used for coating materials. It improves hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion resistance of tools and components.

What are the benefits of applying PVD coating on tools?

Improving hardness
Increasing wear resistance
Increasing oxidation / corrosion resistance
Reducing friction

Comparison of PVD, CVD and electroplating.

PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition): Variety of coating options, low coating temperature, better tolerance control, green technology
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition): High coating temperature, exhaust gas scraping required
Electroplating: Low cost, waste management required, not environmentally friendly

What’s the coating temperature of the PVD process?

The coating temperature varies depending on the specific coating technique and recipe. For the typical vacuum arc deposition (VAD), the coating temperature is usually between 200~400 C. For the sputtering PVD, the coating temperature can go as low as room temperature

What is the heat treatment requirement, such as tempering temperature, before PVD coating on different materials (e.g., carbide, tool steels, stainless steel)?

Heat treatment is used to enhance material properties like hardness and strength. However, during PVD coating, the heat can cause softening if it exceeds certain thresholds. For most tool steels and tungsten carbide, the coating temperature is kept low to prevent softening. For other materials, please contact us for more details.

PVD Equipment

What makes Aurora's PVD equipment different from competitors?

Aurora’s PVD equipment is designed with over 30 years of experience. It features robust systems, economical operation, and easy maintenance. Our STAR series provides versatile coating options with a high return on investment.

PVD STAR Series System (Hard Coatings)

The STAR series offers PVD coating systems for hard coatings, available in different models like STAR-E100, STAR-E700, and STAR-S800, with varying cycle times, capacities, and coating technology.

PVD Coating Systems (Other Functional PVD Coatings)

Other models like the STAR-D1816, LEAN 710, and STAR-J1000 offer specialized coatings for decorative, plastic, and jewelry applications.

What standard coating recipes are available in STAR Series PVD equipment?

The STAR series offers various hard coating recipes, such as TiN, CrN, AlTiN, DLC, and more, suitable for a wide range of applications.

Coating Services

How do you charge for your coating service?

Coating charges are typically based on batch quantity or piece count, depending on the specific project and customer requirements.

How do you determine the coating charge by piece or by batch?

We determine charges based on the complexity of the coating process, volume of items, and specific coating requirements. Please contact us for an accurate quote.

Can you coat aluminum and brass in your STAR-E100/E700?

Yes, the STAR-E100/E700 system is capable of coating aluminum and brass, offering excellent adhesion and durability.

Coating Process

Overview of the coating process.

The PVD coating process includes several stages: pre-treatment cleaning, degreasing, oxidation removal, loading of tools, coating in the PVD chamber, and post-treatment QA inspection.

Coating and Surface Treatments

What kinds of coatings should you choose for your job?

Please refer to our coating chart for detailed guidance on selecting the right coating for your application.

What’s the difference between surface treatments?

Surface treatments like PVD, CVD, and electroplating differ in deposition techniques, temperature requirements, and the resulting material properties. For a detailed comparison, refer to our blog.

Why choose VAD over PECVD and sputtering for tool coatings?

VAD provides high deposition rates, strong adhesion, and versatility for tool coatings, making it ideal for hard coatings like DLC. Compared to PECVD and sputtering, VAD also ensures faster application with superior results.

Why choose PVD coating for non-ferrous forming and plastic injection molding?

PVD coatings like CrN and DLC offer non-stick properties, making them ideal for molds used in plastic injection and non-ferrous metal forming. These coatings protect the mold surface and enhance durability.

Do you need edge-prep and stripping before resharpening on the cutting tools?

Edge preparation is highly recommended after resharpening to extend tool life. For tools with PVD coatings, chemical stripping is preferred over mechanical removal, as it reduces processing time and costs.