Specialists in Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD)

The surface of any tool or component is its interface with its environment and other functional elements. In many cases, its functionality, potential uses, and even the selection of its material, are decisively influenced by the necessary surface properties. Surcoatec specialises in the PECVD process for application of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings, of Si-based non-stick coatings, and of coatings generated from combinations of these two variants. PECVD stands for Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition, and denotes a range of vacuum-based coating processes and thin-film technologies.

Special characteristics

Classical DLC layers offer enormous hardness combined with ideal sliding and friction properties. Great resistance to high temperatures and to corrosion are also frequently needed, however, and there may also be a requirement for transparent, vitreous (glass-like) layers, and/or for layers with enormously high elongation at fracture and elasticity. Surcoatec has refined and further developed its processes to meet these needs.

The special advantages of Surcoatec technology over previously known coating processes is the fact that it can generate a diamond-like coating with a hardness of up to 3,000 HV using a low-temperature process (from around 80°C). Such coatings can thus be applied homogeneously to all substrate materials and to the most diverse contours and geometries.

It is worth noting, in particular, that the new Surcoatec technology enables us - for the first time ever! - to reliably DLC-coat hollow objects internally, with high bond strengths and homogeneity.

• Coating temperatures from as low as 80° C
• Diamond-like coatings with hardnesses up to 3,000 HV
• Homogeneous application to the most diverse geometries and materials
• Internal coating of hollow bodies

Dependable performance even in case of high friction levels and abrasive wear

Thanks to their characteristic properties, DC99® coatings are ideally suited for coating of items that are exposed to high levels of friction and abrasive wear (such as pistons and other engine components, tools for forming of aluminium, thread formers and other metalworking tools). Surcoatec's DC99® layer is modified to ensure significantly better bonding with the substrate, on the one hand, and improved component functionality, on the other, thus boosting component performance and service-lives.

The process-technology and application-specific process cycle used assure homogenous layer deposition. The amorphous microstructure of the layers applied guarantees high-precision reproduction of the specified surface topography of the coated component. A high-gloss polish or a surface with a carefully defined texture is thus retained after coating. DC99® reduces friction in dry tribocontact, and also in case of microlubrication, i.e., even with the most economical use of coolants, fluids and lubricants.