Vacuum Vapor

Electroplating 20 Sep 2017

Can Electroplated Fe-C be an Environmentally Friendly Alternative to Hard Chromium and DLC Coatings?

Electroplated FeC is an efficient surface treatment based on non-aggressive chemicals with a deposition rate of ~20 μm/h at a process temperature of 50°C. The FeC coating is carbide-free and temperature stable up to ~250°C with a hardness of 750 HV, which is comparable to frequently applied hardened steels. The FeC coating has reasonable friction properties and have high affinity towards lubricants because of incorporated amorphous carbon. Hence, for certain applications, the FeC coating might be an interesting wear-protective alternative to hard chromium and to PVD-deposited low-friction diamond-like carbon coatings (DLC’s), which are rather difficult and costly to deposit on larger items.

surfin 16 Aug 2017

The Systems View in Automotive Finishes: Essential, but Overlooked - The 38th William Blum Lecture

This article is a re-publication of the 38th William Blum Lecture, presented at the 84th AES Annual Convention in Detroit, Michigan on June 23, 1997. This lecture reviews a number of works in automotive finishing R&D in which understanding of the overall system was absolutely essential to success, from classical nickel-chromium plating to work in vacuum/electroplated hybrids for plated plastics, electrogalvanized zinc and hard chromium in stamping dies.

Vacuum Vapor 31 Jul 2017

Functional Zr, α-Ta, and (α-β) Ta Thick Coatings Obtained by Original Arc-Evaporator

Novel plasma-clustered deposition technique, called PVD Droplets, as well as its main principles of operation were described. New types of obtained thick, over 20 μm, functional coatings basing on Ta and Zr have been presented. Results of research in physic-chemical properties of the coating materials are listed including preliminary studies of superconductive properties. Comparative evaluation between of obtained coatings and sample CVD coating was made.

surfin 13 Feb 2017

Iron Tungsten Alloy Plating with Low Friction and Wear Resistance

The modern automotive industry has been striving to reduce energy loss caused by friction. An alloy plating film developed by finely crystallizing iron and tungsten demonstrates both a high level of hardness and excellent ductility. In addition, low friction can be achieved by its application under a layer of lubricant. It also has the merit of greater cost performance as compared with DLC produced with PVD technology.

automotive 8 Feb 2017

Study Shows Gallium Nitride Almost as Durable as Diamonds

Four Lehigh engineers report a previously unknown property for GaN: its wear resistance approaches that of diamonds and promises to open up applications in touch screens, space vehicles and radio-frequency microelectromechanical systems.