Surface treatments play a crucial role in improving material durability, aesthetics, and performance across various industries. Whether for industrial machinery, consumer products, or specialized tools, selecting the right treatment ensures optimal longevity and functionality. This guide compares popular surface treatment methods based on cost, durability, toxicity, and substrate requirements, helping you make an informed decision.

PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating is widely known for its durability and performance in industrial settings, but it also plays an essential role in decorative applications. In our latest blog post, we explore the aesthetic advantages of PVD coating, from its beautiful finishes to its ability to enhance the visual appeal of products. Whether it’s jewelry, watches, or other consumer goods, PVD coating adds elegance and durability that lasts.

Surviving the Elements: In many industries, equipment and components are constantly battling harsh environments filled with moisture and abrasive particles. This leads to erosion—a destructive combination of corrosion and wear—that eats away at materials, causing surface damage and drastically shortening the lifespan of crucial components. Imagine the blades in a turbine engine’s compression compartment being bombarded by sand, dust, and hard particles from the air intake.

Most PVD coatings are thin, hard refractory nitrides (e.g., CrN, TiN). These materials are naturally chemically inert and resistant to corrosion, which is why PVD coatings are often claimed to be corrosion resistant. However, most of the commercially available PVD coatings are being deposited at less than 3 microns (μm), which is relatively thin for the purpose of corrosion protection. Moreover, a typical PVD coating contain intrinsic defects (such as pinholes and craters) due to the nature of the deposition process. The thin PVD layer with these defects can expose the substrate, leaving it vulnerable to corrosion.