Glossary
Cathodic Arc Deposition
An evaporative PVD coating process offering a wide
range of coverage for coating complex, large parts.
Cathodic Arc Deposition has replaced magnetron sputtering
in many "larger item" functional and decorative
applications. Bath spouts, kitchen faucets, door knobs
and other kitchen, bath and door accessories are given
their "lifetime" finishes with Cathodic
Arc equipment. Though lacking the precision of sputtered
films, products of Cathodic Arc processes are well
suited to many applications. Cathodic Arc coatings
are among the most cost effective of all PVD choices.
Decorative Coatings
Decorative PVD coatings are those for which the attributes
of coating color and uniformity are most important.
Consequently, decorative coatings are typically less
thick than functional coatings. Typical decorative
coating applications include: pens, eyeglass frames,
cellular phone housings, watch bezels and bands, door
hardware and plumbing fixtures.
Functional Coatings
The term, "functional coating" has often
been used as a synonym for tool coating: typically
the coatings used are TiN or CrN. These coatings are
applied at higher temperatures and in greater thickness
than decorative PVD coatings. Coating color and surface
uniformity are less important than wear characteristics.
Typical applications include instrument blades, knives,
augers, drills, automotive wear parts, machine bits
and molds.
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)
Also termed “atomic deposition” is a process in which
material vaporized from a source is transported in
the form of a vapor through a vacuum to the substrate
where it condenses. PVD processes are used to deposit
films of varying colors and attributes. Depending
on the required film attributes, the deposition process
can be reactive or non-reactive.
The three main categories of PVD coating are: Thermal Evaporation, Arc Evaporation and Sputtering.
Sputtering
Sputtering is a process of depositing particles physically
extracted from a target surface. It is used for coating
optical films, semiconductors, architectural glass,
and medical instruments, and for other precise, thin-film
applications. Like all PVD applications, sputtered
films offer distinct advantages over traditional electroplating;
of which superior corrosion protection, wear resistance
and adhesion are but a few. Sputtered films, moreover,
offer greater precision and uniformity than do other
processes.
