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Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) involves the coating of parts with a thin layer of another material. This other material is most commonly a wear resistant material, but it can also provide protection against corrosion, enhance surface lubricity, or simply produce aesthetic appeal. Pure metals can be deposited, but the majority of coatings consist of hard, dense carbides and nitrides.

PROCESSING
Parts are cleaned, placed in a vacuum chamber, heated to between 100-500 C, then coated by a stream of particles coming from the source of the coating material called the "target". To maximize coating coverage, the parts are rotated within the chamber so that the target can "see" as much of the part surface as possible. Known as "line of sight" coating, blind holes, deep internal diameters and grooves do not receive any coating. Areas that do get coated receive a hard, dense uniform layer of material.

It is well known that cutting tool life is extended by coatings of titanium nitride or titanium carbide, but the density and integrity of those coatings can also provide corrosion protection on tools for hot forging, inserts for plastic molding, and parts subject to atmospheric attack. PVD coatings do add material to the part being coated. Generally, about 3-6 microns to finished dimensions. When a hard surface is required with no dimensional change, ion nitriding can be selected. The process is similar to that described above, except that nitrogen soaks into the part and reacts with alloying elements present to form a hard, wear resistant shell. As with PVD coatings, ion nitriding is also a "line of sight" process. As new coatings are developed, the equipment at Fused Metals Inc. will adapt to them due to its flexibility. With a commitment to continued improvement, coating quality will always be assured.