Physical Vapour Deposition, PVD coatings are thin films, typically only a few microns thick, that are deposited on tools and machine elements in a vast array of industries from "self-cleaning" windows through to Formula 1 race cars and medical implants.
In the areas of machining and tooling PVD coatings are widely used to increase the life and productivity of production tools and therefore reducing manufacturing costs.
1. PVD coatings reduce cycle times. This enables the production of more components in less time.
2. PVD coatings reduce downtime. Tool replacement caused by excessive wear or pickup is less frequent.
3. PVD coatings reduce the need for cutting fluid. Cutting fluids cost companies today an estimated several billion dollars per year and up to 15% of their production costs. PVD coatings can be run dry or with very limited amount of fluid.
In the area of machine elements PVD coatings reduce energy losses and the need for lubricant. Hard (2000 VHN), wear resistant, low friction solid lubricant coatings can be deposited with a friction coefficient <1/10 that of steel therefore eliminating the need for lubricant.
This site is your guide to one of the PVD coating techniques, magnetron sputtering.
My name is Mark Jarratt and I have over 13 years experience in the PVD coatings industry. My responsibilities have included the development of PVD coatings for many different applications. I have also developed PVD coating technology using deposition techniques such as magnetron sputtering, arc evaporation and electron beam ablation. Please contact me if you are interested to know how PVD coatings could help your industry, or you want to find out about PVD coating theory, PVD coating technology, or PVD coating applications click the links or the buttons on the left.
You can also view more PVD coating information by clicking the PVD link.
