Sputtered TiCN nanocomposite coatings deposited at low temperatures without droplets offer a combination of high hardness and good toughness. These properties make them a versatile solution for wear protection in various areas of application.

CERODEM® TiCN coatings are deposited using a PVD sputtering process at comparatively low temperatures between 160 and 200 °C. This means that the coating can be applied to almost all steel substrates without negatively affecting their microstructure or mechanical properties. The low coating temperature therefore extends the range of applications for these coatings.

A special feature of the sputtered CERODEM® TiCN coatings is their very smooth surface, which is achieved by the absence of droplets. Droplets are molten droplets of the target material that can form during some PVD processes such as arc evaporation. They lead to defects and roughness in the coating, which impair its performance. By using the sputtering process, the formation of droplets is avoided, resulting in a homogeneous and smooth coating surface. This eliminates the need to rework the coated components, saving time and costs.

CERODEM® TiCN coatings are characterised by their high hardness, which makes them ideal for use under abrasive conditions. At the same time, they have good toughness, which prevents the coating from chipping or breaking off. This combination of hardness and toughness enables the use of CERODEM® TiCN-coated components in demanding applications such as machining with cooling, stamping and forming of stainless steel or injection moulding of plastics with abrasive fillers.

The sputtered CERODEM® TiCN coatings show good wear protection properties even at elevated temperatures. Their chemical resistance to the attack of filled plastics and their good non-stick properties make them a preferred choice for applications in plastics processing.

Overall, sputtered CERODEM® TiCN coatings offer a high-performance solution for wear protection that impresses with its high hardness, good toughness, smooth surface and chemical resistance. The low deposition temperature and the absence of droplets enable simple and efficient application on various steel substrates without post-processing. This opens up a wide range of possible applications in areas such as forming and plastics processing, where CERODEM® TiCN coatings help to increase the performance and durability of components.