Cathodic Arc PVD deposition of wear resistant coatings on compressor blades/vanes & dies

Readiness Level:

IPDI Level: 7 (Checking Repeatability/ Consistency at Prototype Level)

Key Features:

1. Films/coatings of different structures with good control over chemistry and thickness can be developed: 

   (i). Mono-laye 

   (ii). Multi-layer 

   (iii). Gradient 

   (iv). Functionally multi-layered/graded

2. Films/coatings containing Ti, Cr, AlSi & AlTi can be coated in pure metallic or nitride or carbide form. i.e. TiN, CrN, TiAlN, TiAlSiN, CrAlSiN, TiCrAlSiN, TiC, TiCN, TiAlCN, etc.
3. Physical and mechanical properties can be tuned by varying deposition conditions.
4. Environmentally green and easily up scalable process with high production rates.

Possible Applications:

1. Aerospace components.
2. Hard and wear resistant coatings for cutting tools – up to hardness of 45 GPa.
3. Wear resistant coatings for dies, bearings, etc. – Low friction coefficient of < 0.2.
4. Erosion resistant coatings for compressor blades – A thickness of 20 μm is achieved.
5. Solar selective coatings for solar thermal applications – ~ α: 0.96 & ε: 0.09 at 400°C.
6. Diffusion barrier coatings for electronic components.
7. Decorative coatings for aesthetic applications, etc.