Surface technology portfolio of the De Martin Group
Surface Technologies for High-Performance Applications
PVD, PACVD, Electroplating and Electroless Nickel – the comprehensive surface technology portfolio of De Martin Group for extreme wear resistance, corrosion protection and enhanced performance over millions of operating hours.
Surface Technology Portfolio of De Martin Group
De Martin Group specializes in functional surface coatings and offers a unique combination of:
- Electroplating Processes (Hard Chrome, Nickel, Tin, Structured Chrome)
- Electroless Nickel Coatings (Standard electroless nickel, high-hardened, PTFE dispersions, Silicon Carbide dispersions, Diamond dispersions, Boron Carbide dispersion, PFAS-free dispersion coatings)
- PVD Sputtering (CrN, TiCN, AlCrN with special focus)
- PACVD-DLC Systems (DLC, Si-DLC, WCH for tribology)
- Proprietary Hybrid and Special Systems (BORDEM® Cr, BORDEM® SV, CERODEM® Hybrid DLC)
- PVD/PACVD Multilayer with Chemical Base Systems (optimized synergies of multiple technologies)
Expertise: This broad expertise enables the development of optimally adapted solutions for every industrial requirement.
Vacuum Coatings: PVD and PACVD
What is PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition)?
A PVD coating is a modern vacuum coating process in which a solid material (the target) is vaporized and deposited as an ultra-thin but extremely resistant layer on a workpiece.
The heart of PVD technology is a vacuum chamber in which the process pressure is drastically reduced. Typical layer thicknesses are approximately 1 to 5 micrometers. The process temperatures are comparatively low (150–180 °C), allowing even hardened steels and precision parts to be coated.
The Magnetron Sputtering Process
- Vaporization (Cathode Sputtering): The target is bombarded with high-energy argon ions
- Transport: Released atoms move linearly through the evacuated chamber
- Reaction: Reactive gases such as nitrogen (N₂) create ceramic compounds
- Deposition: Material particles condense on the substrate surface
PVD Sputter Systems: Metallic Nitrides and Carbonitrides
| Layer System | Abbreviation | Typ. Hardness (HV) | Max. Operating Temp. | Main Applications | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium Nitride | CrN | 1,800–2,200 | 700 °C | Mechanical engineering, valves, bearing shafts | Excellent corrosion resistance; universal applicability |
| Titanium Carbonitride Sputter | TiCN | 1800–2200 | 400 °C | Tool coating, hard chrome replacement | High hardness and wear resistance; good price-performance ratio |
| Aluminum Chromium Nitride Sputter | AlCrN | 1800–2,200 | 700–750 °C | Hot work tools, high-temperature applications | Combines temperature resistance with additional hardness |
PACVD (Plasma Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition)
PACVD is a highly advanced special form of chemical vapor deposition that operates at significantly lower temperatures (150–180 °C) than conventional CVD (900–1100 °C). A high-frequency plasma splits precursor molecules and generates reactive radicals.
Core Advantage: Since all process components are gaseous, even complex internal geometries, bores and filigree structures are coated uniformly – without line-of-sight problems.
PACVD Systems: Diamond-Like Carbon Layers (DLC)
| Layer System | Abbreviation | Typical Hardness (HV) | Max. Operating Temp. | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diamond Like Carbon (Standard) | DLC | 2,000–3,000 | 350 °C | Very variable hardness; low coefficient of friction (μ < 0.1) |
| DLC with Metal Carbide Inclusions | CERODEM® WCH | 1,200–1,500 | 350 °C | High hardness combined with surface fatigue protection through carbide particles |
| Silicon-doped DLC | Si-DLC | 1,800–2,500 | 400 °C | Improved adhesion; reduced internal stress; ideal for injection molding applications |
Electroless Nickel Layers: De Martin Group Specialization
| Layer System | Typical Thickness | Special Features | Main Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electroless Nickel Standard (Ni-P) | 5–50 µm | Uniform deposition even in complex geometries; very smooth surface (Ra < 0.05 µm) | Gas compressors, mechanical engineering components, valve blocks |
| Electroless Nickel-PTFE (Dispersion Layer) | 5–20 µm | Integrated PTFE particles (approx. 5–30%); low coefficient of friction (μ ≈ 0.15–0.2) | Hydraulic piston rods, linear bushings, brake components |
| Electroless Nickel-Silicon Carbide (Dispersion Layer) | 5–30 µm | Integrated silicon carbide particles; increased wear resistance against abrasion | Bearing shells, guide slides, wear protection against abrasion |
| Electroless Nickel-Diamond (Dispersion Layer) | 5–30 µm | Integrated diamond particles for extreme wear resistance; increase in torsional forces | Textile machines, heavily loaded guides, precision sliding surfaces, friction discs |
Electroplating Layer Systems
| Layer System | Typical Thickness | Main Strengths | Application Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galvanically Nickel-plated Steel (Ni) | 5–50µm | Good corrosion resistance; high layer thicknesses; cost-effective | Mechanical engineering, fasteners, standard components |
| Galvanically Tin-plated Steel (Sn) | 2–50 µm | Excellent electrical conductivity; solderability; Whisker Class I | Electronics, high-voltage components, e-mobility, connectors |
| Hard Chrome (HCr) | 0.05–1.0 mm | Extreme wear resistance (up to 1,200 HV); repairable; structured chrome possible | Piston rods, cylinders, guides, critical wear surfaces |
| Bright Chrome | 0.5–1 µm | Decorative, shiny surface; good corrosion resistance | Decorative components, premium optics |
Proprietary Layer Systems of De Martin Group
| Layer System | Composition | Application Area | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| BORDEM® Cr | Electroless nickel base with chrome components | Copper-based mold cores for plastic injection molding | Extreme wear resistance; anti-stick properties; improved dimensional stability |
| BORDEM® SV | Special formulation electroless nickel | Standard mold tools, steel cores, general mechanical engineering | Improved sliding ability and corrosion protection; optimized for cost efficiency |
| CERODEM® Hybrid DLC ST | Electroless nickel base + PVD-CrN + PACVD-DLC | Heavily loaded mold tools, hot runners, critical mechanical engineering components | Combines corrosion protection + wear resistance + friction reduction; tool life 3–5× longer |
PVD/PACVD Multilayer Systems & Hybrid Coatings
| Multilayer System | Composition | Application Area | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electroless Nickel + PVD-CrN/DLC | Ni-P base (5–10 µm) + PVD-CrN (1–2 µm) + PACVD-DLC (0.5–1 µm) | Highly stressed mechanical engineering components; Medical instruments | Combines corrosion protection (Ni-P) with wear resistance (CrN) and friction reduction (DLC) |
| CrN/DLC Multilayer for Mold Tools (CERODEM®) | PVD-CrN (2–3 µm) + PACVD-Si-DLC or DLC (0.5–3 µm) | Mold tools, injection molding cores | Temperature protection + extreme wear resistance + anti-stick effect; tool life 3–5× longer |
| AlCrN/DLC Superlattice | Nanometer-thin alternating AlCrN/DLC layers | High-temperature high-performance tools, extreme tribology | Self-healing effect through oxidation barriers; extreme thermal stability |
Functionality of the Processes
How does electroplating deposition work?
Electroplating deposition is an electrochemical process in which a metallic coating is deposited from an aqueous electrolyte solution onto an electrically conductive workpiece (cathode). Through an external DC power source, metal ions (Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺) migrate to the cathode and are deposited as metallic atoms.
Strengths of Electroplating
- Large layer thicknesses possible (hard chrome up to 3 mm)
- Cost-effective for high volumes
- Complex cavities and internal threads evenly coatable
- Repair and post-processing possible
- Electrical conductivity (tin for e-mobility)
External Current-free Deposition (Electroless Nickel)
Autocatalytic, electrochemically coupled redox process without external power source. The reducing agent (sodium hypophosphite) reduces nickel ions at the catalytically active surface.
Advantage: Uniform deposition independent of geometry, even in bores and blind holes.
Application Segments
1. Mechanical Engineering and Fastening Elements
Requirements: Corrosion protection, moderate wear resistance, cost efficiency, large volumes
| Component | Requirement | Primary Solution | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas compressor components | Friction reduction, corrosion protection | Electroless Nickel-PTFE | Long-term stability over 100,000+ operating hours |
| Bearing seats & bearing shafts | Wear resistance, corrosion protection | Hard chrome or PVD-CrN | Diadem Grip for constant performance; hard chrome for repairability |
| Hydraulic piston rods | Friction reduction, wear protection | Electroless Nickel-PTFE / Hard Chrome | Dispersion layers for intrinsic sliding ability (μ ≈ 0.15–0.2) |
| Valves & valve blocks | Wear protection, geometry independence | Electroless Nickel or CERODEM® Hybrid | Ni-P for complex internal geometries; Hybrid for high performance |
2. Mold and Tool Making: Injection Molding
Requirements: Extreme wear resistance, anti-stick properties, thermal stability
| Tool Component | Primary Solution | Special Features |
|---|---|---|
| Copper-based mold cores | BORDEM® Cr | 2–3× more injection molding shots than standard |
| Steel cores (standard) | BORDEM® SV | Cost-optimized for standard requirements |
| Sprue bushing & hot runners | CERODEM® Hybrid DLC / AlCrN | Temperature resistance up to 750 °C |
| Slides & ejector pins | CERODEM® WCH or Si-DLC | Ra < 0.1 µm; μ < 0.1 |
3. Mobility: Vehicle Components
| Component | Primary Solution | Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Piston rings | PACVD-DLC or CERODEM® WCH | μ < 0.1; improved fuel efficiency |
| Valve stems | CERODEM® Hybrid DLC or AlCrN | Synergy effect; constant performance over 200,000+ km |
| Gear tooth flanks | PACVD-DLC or WCH | Energy efficiency through friction reduction |
| Fastening elements (e-mobility) | Galvanic Nickel or Electroless Nickel | Tin for Battery Management Systems (BMS) |
4. Energy and Electronics
- Wind power generators: Hard chrome or CERODEM® Hybrid DLC (repairability)
- High-voltage components: Ni-Sn (Excellent conductivity; Whisker Class I)
- Electronic contacts: Ni or NiSn (RoHS compliant)
5. Medical Instruments
Requirements: Biocompatibility, extreme corrosion resistance, nickel-free
| Component | Primary Solution |
|---|---|
| Surgical instruments | Hybrid DLC or CrN/DLC |
| Endo-instruments | a-DLC or CERODEM® WCH |
| Implants | Pickling, electropolishing, passivation |
Comparison Table: All Processes at a Glance
| Criterion | PVD Sputtering | PACVD-DLC | Electroplating (Hard Chrome) | Galvanic Tin | Electroless Nickel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Process Temperature | 150–180 °C | 150–180 °C | 20–60 °C | 20–50 °C | 80–95 °C |
| Max. Layer Thickness | 1–10 µm | 1–5 µm | up to 3 mm | up to 30 µm | up to 100 µm |
| Line-of-Sight Problem | Yes | Partial | No | No | No |
| Electrical Conductivity | Good | Medium | Good | Excellent | Good |
| Repair & Post-processing | Limited | Limited | Very good | Limited | Limited |
Multilayer and Hybrid Technology
CERODEM® Hybrid DLC
Layer Structure:
- Electroless Nickel Base: 5–30 µm (adhesion, corrosion protection, geometry independence)
- PVD-CrN: 1–4 µm (wear protection)
- PACVD-DLC or Si-DLC: 0.5–3 µm (friction reduction)
Result: Combines corrosion protection + wear resistance + friction reduction. Tool life 3–5× longer than single layers.
Diadem Grip: Long-term Stability
Proprietary system for constant tribological performance over millions of operating cycles:
- Stable behavior over 10× longer operating times
- No material change over life cycles
- Ideal for high-performance and safety applications
FAQ and Decision Guide
Choose PVD Sputtering when:
- High performance with relatively simple geometries
- Corrosion resistance up to 700+ °C required
- Medium to high volumes
- Dimensional stability critical
Choose PACVD-DLC when:
- Tribological perfection (μ < 0.1) required
- Complex 3D geometries
- Very smooth surfaces (Ra < 0.1 µm)
- Medical instruments
Choose Galvanically Tin-plated Steel when:
- Excellent electrical conductivity
- Electronics, high voltage, e-mobility
- RoHS compliance
- High volumes, cost optimization
Choose Hybrid Systems when:
- Maximum performance required
- Combination of corrosion + wear + friction
- Critical, highly stressed components
- Long-term applications with constant performance
Standards and Norms
- ISO 4527 – Electroless Nickel Coatings
- ISO 4516 – Vickers Hardness Measurement
- EN 13399:2019 – Bicycle Brake Components
- ISO 21874 – Multilayer Hard Coatings
- IEC 61191 – Solderability and Conductivity (Tin)
- ASTM B733 – Electroless Nickel Plating
- ISO 4042 – Corrosion Protection for Fasteners
De Martin Group as an Innovative Technology Leader
Modern surface technology is not a question of "better or worse" – it is a question of intelligent selection and combination.
De Martin Group distinguishes itself through:
- Complete technology portfolio under one roof
- Proprietary innovation: BORDEM® Cr/SV, CERODEM® Hybrid DLC/WCH, Diadem Grip
- Electroless nickel expertise with dispersion layers (PTFE, SiC, Diamond)
- Hybrid competence: Synergistic process combination
- Scientifically documented solutions (Massler, Meyer WOMAG publications)
- Decades-long partnerships with world market leaders
The future lies in: CERODEM® Hybrid Systems, Galvanically Tin-plated Steel for E-Mobility, Diadem Grip for Long-term Reliability and BORDEM® Family for Mold Tool Making.
