PVD Coating Service
MOLDITQUICK provides PVD (physical vapor deposition) as a value-added surface treatment for molded and machined parts — delivering hard, scratch-resistant, decorative coatings with a premium metallic finish.
TiN (Titanium Nitride)
1–5 μm at 2,300–2,500 HV, signature gold color. Wear and corrosion resistance for cutting tools, mold components and decorative hardware.
TiCN (Titanium Carbonitride)
1–4 μm, up to 3,000 HV, dark blue-gray. Higher hardness than TiN for drills, taps, punches and high-wear sliding parts.
CrN (Chromium Nitride)
1–5 μm at 1,750–2,200 HV, silver-gray. Low friction and excellent toughness for plastic molds, forming tools and engine components.
AlTiN (Aluminum Titanium Nitride)
1–4 μm at 3,300–3,500 HV, dark violet-gray. Hot hardness for high-speed and dry machining inserts and dies.
DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon)
1–3 μm, 1,500–3,000 HV, glossy black with a friction coefficient near 0.1. Automotive, watch and precision components that demand low wear and a premium look.
What Is PVD Coating?
Physical vapor deposition (PVD) is a vacuum coating process in which solid metal or ceramic material is vaporized — by arc evaporation or sputtering — and condensed onto the part surface as a thin, dense, extremely hard film. Unlike plating or painting, PVD is a dry process: no chemicals, no wastewater, and a coating that is bonded at the atomic level rather than simply stuck on.
The result is a coating family that combines decorative appeal with industrial performance. TiN delivers the classic gold look, DLC gives a glossy black finish, and the nitride family (TiN, TiCN, CrN, AlTiN) reaches hardness values of 1,700–3,500 HV — far above any painted or plated finish. Because PVD runs at low temperature, it is safe for molded thermoplastics as well as metals, which makes it the finishing of choice for watch cases, automotive trim, medical instruments and cutting tools. See how it compares with other finishes on oursurface finishing overview.
Key Parameters
Typical values for the standard PVD coating types; custom stack-ups are available on request.
| Coating | Thickness (μm) | Hardness (HV) | Color | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TiN | 1 – 5 | 2,300 – 2,500 | Gold | Tools, molds, decorative hardware |
| TiCN | 1 – 4 | 2,800 – 3,000 | Dark blue-gray | Drills, taps, punches |
| CrN | 1 – 5 | 1,750 – 2,200 | Silver-gray | Plastic molds, forming tools |
| AlTiN | 1 – 4 | 3,300 – 3,500 | Dark violet-gray | High-speed machining |
| DLC | 1 – 3 | 1,500 – 3,000 | Glossy black | Automotive, watch, precision parts |
Applications
PVD is specified where a premium look must survive real wear:
- Injection molds and mold inserts — CrN and TiN extend tool life and release performance.
- Automotive — interior trim, bezels and door handles in gold, gunmetal or black DLC.
- Consumer electronics and watches — scratch-resistant DLC and TiN cosmetic parts.
- Medical instruments — biocompatible, corrosion-resistant CrN and TiN surfaces.
- Cutting tools and wear parts — AlTiN and TiCN for high-speed and dry machining.
Coated parts are typically molded or machined in-house first — see ourinjection molding andCNC machining services — so the substrate surface finish is controlled before coating.
Why MOLDITQUICK
MOLDITQUICK (Dongguan Guohong Precision) combines a 10,000 m², 280-person plant with IATF 16949, ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 systems and PVD supplied through audited vacuum-coating partners with calibrated process control. Every program starts with a DFM review that fixes the substrate material, surface roughness and coating stack before any tooling is cut.
We deliver prototype and small batches in 7–12 days and mass production in 25–30 days with global shipping, and every batch is released with adhesion and thickness verification. Talk to us about combining PVD with the rest of ourmanufacturing services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PVD and electroplating?
PVD is a vacuum deposition process that produces very hard, scratch-resistant coatings (up to 3,500 HV) with no wet chemicals, while plating is electrochemically applied and better suited to uniform coverage of complex internal geometry and conductive finishes. We recommend per application.
Will PVD change my part dimensions?
PVD coatings are 1–5 μm thick, so dimensional change is negligible for most parts. Where mating tolerances are tight, we add the coating allowance during DFM review.
Can PVD be applied to plastic parts?
Yes. Low-temperature PVD runs at roughly 80–150 °C, so ABS, PC, PC/ABS, PA and other molded thermoplastics can be coated without distortion — a common choice for automotive trim and consumer electronics.
What colors are available?
Gold (TiN), dark blue-gray (TiCN), silver-gray (CrN), dark violet-gray (AlTiN) and glossy black (DLC). Custom tinted top layers can be added for brand-specific shades.
How is coating quality verified?
Adhesion is checked by tape test, hardness by micro-indentation, and thickness by calotest or XRF on production batches. Reports are available to support IATF 16949 and ISO 13485 documentation.