PVD coating technology

I have divided PVD coating technology into two subgroups, PVD coating machines and PVD coating testing equipment.

PVD coating machines
Most commercially available coating machines utilise at least 4 magnetrons, 2/3 fold rotation systems and fully computerised control. In many business sectors it is now economically advantageous for companies to purchase their own turn key systems and coat in-house, not only reducing unit cost but also slashing turnaround times.

For more information about PVD coating machines click the link.

PVD coating testing equipment

Scratch adhesion tester
The scratch tester is used for testing the adhesion of thin coatings. The adhesion testing is carried out using a steadily increasing load on a Rockwell diamond sliding across a coated test piece or component. The critical load at which the coating fails is measured using a load cell, acoustic emission and finally confirmed optically.

For more information about scratch adhesion testers click the link.

Rockwell adhesion tester
Another method of adhesion testing, developed by the Union of German Engineers, (Verein Deutscher
Ingenieure, VDI) and also referred to as the Daimler-Benz test uses a standard Rockwell hardness tester fitted with a Rockwell "C"-type diamond cone indenter with an applied load of 150kg. The adhesion is assessed by observation of the Rockwell "C" indent after the adhesion test.

For more information about Rockwell adhesion testers click the link.

Coating thickness tester (Calo® tester or ball crater thickness tester)
The coating thickness tester referred to as a Calo tester or ball crater thickness tester depending on the testing equipment supplier provides a quick, easy and inexpensive method of measuring coating thickness.

For more information about coating thickness testers click the link.

Pin on disc wear and friction tester
The pin on disc tester using a fixed ball counterpart sliding against coated test piece to measure the tribological properties, friction and sliding wear, of the coating.

For more information about pin on disc wear testers click the link.

Abrasion tester
The abrasion tester uses a rotating steel sphere loaded onto the coated sample or component. An abrasive slurry is dripped onto the wear interface. The coating wear is measured optically after the test is complete in a similar manner to that used after using the coating thickness tester. Software is used to determine the coating abrasive specific wear rate.

For more information about abrasion testers click the link.