PACVD Coatings

DLC coatings feature excellent hardness, wear and low friction properties under dry or deficient lubrication conditions. The DLC coatings are amorphous in structure. By varying the deposition conditions, the ration between SP² and sp³ bonds can be varied in a controlled manner. In that way Ionbond engineers can design coating systems with optimum friction and wear properties, depending on the application requirements. High hardness DLC coating (10-60 GPa) will contain a high fraction of sp3 bonds. Dopants can be added to the carbon structure of DLC coatings in order to further control intrinsic coating properties. In that way properties like conductivity, corrosion resistance, and wettability can be tuned. Some of Ionbond’s DLC coating use a silicon doped DLC layer between the substrate and the functional DLC coating in order to promote strong coating adhesion to the products.

PACVD deposited DLC coatings are ideally suited for tribological systems found in engines, machines and other mechanical assemblies. Especially when dealing with sliding and rolling movements. The low affinity to many materials, like plastics and aluminum,  makes them ideal for high precision injection molding and forming tools. The nice shiny, black finish provides a nice aesthetic look and feel, which benefits Ionbond’s decorative customers, for example applied on watches and sanitary. DLC is chemically inert and biocompatible which allows for its application on medical implants and surgical instruments.