Chemical nickel-DLC hybrid coatings: A breakthrough coating technology

The development of electroless nickel-DLC hybrid coatings marks a significant advance in the field of surface coatings. This innovative technology combines the strengths of electroless nickel with the remarkable properties of diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings, creating a highly efficient and flexible solution for demanding industrial applications.

The electroless nickel-DLC hybrid coatings are produced in a carefully coordinated, multi-stage process. In the first step, a chemical nickel layer is applied to the substrate material to be coated. This layer is characterised by its considerable hardness, high wear resistance and excellent corrosion resistance. A DLC layer is then applied to the electroless nickel layer using advanced processes such as physical vapour deposition (PVD) or plasma-assisted chemical vapour deposition (PACVD). The composition and structure of the CERODEM® DLC layer can be specifically adapted to the respective requirements in order to achieve customised properties.

The electroless nickel-DLC hybrid layers are characterised by an impressive synergy of properties that predestine them for a wide range of applications. The electroless nickel layer ensures excellent adhesion to the substrate material and offers high hardness and excellent wear resistance. The CERODEM® DLC layer complements these properties with its exceptionally high hardness, which can reach values of up to 80 GPa depending on the composition. In addition, the CERODEM® DLC coating impresses with an extremely low coefficient of friction, which leads to a significant reduction in friction and wear.

An additional advantage of the hybrid coatings is their excellent corrosion resistance. While the electroless nickel layer already provides effective protection against corrosion, the chemically inert DLC layer gives the hybrid coatings additional resistance. The combination of these properties means that the hybrid coatings are able to guarantee a long service life and high reliability even under adverse conditions.

The electroless nickel-DLC CERODEM® hybrid coatings represent a groundbreaking innovation, as they utilise the synergies of two high-performance coating technologies in a unique way. The targeted combination of the advantages of electroless nickel and DLC coatings opens up completely new perspectives for surface finishing. The hybrid coatings can be precisely tailored to the individual requirements of a wide range of applications, be it in mould tool making, mechanical engineering, aerospace, medical technology or other high-tech sectors.

In summary, electroless nickel-DLC CERODEM® hybrid coatings represent a forward-looking and high-performance solution for applications that place the highest demands on hardness, wear resistance, friction behaviour and corrosion resistance. Due to their unique properties and versatility, they have enormous potential to raise the performance and durability of parts and components in a wide range of industries to a new level.

Advantages

• Delivery from a single source, resulting in optimised interfaces and no quality and warranty discussions.
  
• Unique combination of the strengths of electroless nickel and DLC coatings
• Excellent adhesion to the substrate material due to the electroless nickel layer
• High hardness and wear resistance of the electroless nickel layer
• Extremely high hardness of the CERODEM® DLC layer
• Very low coefficient of friction of the CERODEM® DLC layer for reduced friction and wear
• Excellent corrosion resistance thanks to the interaction of electroless nickel and CERODEM® DLC
• Long service life and high reliability, even under demanding conditions
• Adaptability of the coating properties to specific application requirements
• Versatile use in various industrial sectors (automotive, aerospace, medical technology, etc.)
• Improving the performance and durability of parts and components
• Innovative solution for applications with high demands on hardness, wear resistance, friction behaviour and corrosion resistance
• Opening up new possibilities in surface finishing by combining two high-performance coating technologies