Cathodic Arc Deposition: From Spark to Surface Perfection in China
1. What Is Cathodic Arc Deposition?
| Metric | Cathodic Arc | Magnetron Sputter | Electroplated Ni |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thickness Range | 0.1–5 µm | 1–5 µm | 5–50 µm |
| Hardness (HV) | 3 000 | 2 500–3 200 | 700 |
| Max Service Temp | 1 000 °C | 400 °C | 300 °C |
| Droplet-Free | ✅ Filtered | N/A | N/A |
| REACH Status | ✅ Compliant | Compliant | ⚠️ Restricted |
2. The 5-Step Cathodic Arc Process – From Spark to Surface
| Step | Vacuum Level | Temp (°C) | Action | KPI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Plasma Clean | 10⁻³ mbar | 25 | Ar⁺ removes oxide & oil | Contact angle ≤ 8° |
| 2 Arc Ignition | 10⁻³ mbar | 150–500 | Cathodic arc vaporizes target | Arc current 50–200 A |
| 3 Filtered Plasma | 10⁻⁴ mbar | 150–500 | Magnetic filter removes droplets | Droplet count < 0.01 % |
| 4 Dense Film Growth | 10⁻⁴ mbar | 150–500 | Vapor condenses on substrate | ±3 nm uniformity |
| 5 QA & Pack | Air | 25 | CT + nano-indent + salt-spray | CpK ≥ 1.67 |
3. 2024 Performance Matrix – Arc vs Other PVD Routes
| Method | Thickness (µm) | Hardness (HV) | Salt-Spray (h) | Max Temp (°C) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electroplated Ni | 25 | 700 | 48 | 300 | Decorative trim |
| Spray Paint | 50 | 200 | 48 | 150 | Body panels |
| Filtered Arc ta-C | 0.5 | 3 000 | 1 000 | 400 | Medical drills |
| HiPIMS Sputter | 1 | 3 200 | 1 200 | 1 000 | EV motor punches |
| Cathodic Arc TiAlCrN | 2 | 2 900 | 1 200 | 1 000 | Turbine blades |
4. Three 2024 Case Studies
Case 1 – Aerospace Turbine Blade
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Client: European OEM, 2024
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Problem: Fretting at 850 °C dovetail
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Arc Stack: TiAlCrN 2 µm + a-C:H 200 nm
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Outcome: Wear scar < 5 µm after 1 000 h; maintenance interval doubled
Case 2 – EV Motor Lamination Die
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Client: US EV Tier-1, 2024
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Problem: 0.35 mm electrical steel sticking at 400 °C
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Arc Stack: CrAlON 1.8 µm + a-C:H 50 nm
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Outcome: Tool life 4× longer, scrap −40 %
Case 3 – Medical Staple
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Client: US MedTech startup, 2024
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Problem: 316L needs low-friction piercing
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Arc Stack: ta-C 300 nm + Cr 30 nm adhesion
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Outcome: Penetration force −25 %, CE mark granted
5. Global Standards & Sustainability
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ISO 9001:2015 / IATF 16949 / ISO 13485
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REACH, RoHS, FDA 21 CFR §175.300
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Energy: 0.45 kWh per m²
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Waste: Zero liquid effluent
6. 7-Day Delivery Timeline
| Milestone | Lead Time |
|---|---|
| DFM + Quote | 24 h |
| Prototype (1–10 pcs) | 48 h |
| Validation (CT, salt-spray) | 5 days |
| Mass Production | 7–10 days |
| Door-to-Door Delivery | 12 days total |
7. FAQs – Which Arc Stack Fits My Job?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can arc coat plastics? | Yes—metallised PEEK, PEKK, LCP. |
| Largest part? | 800 mm Ø × 1200 mm L. |
| Minimum order? | 1 piece. |
8. How to Start Tomorrow
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Email [email protected] with STEP/IGES.
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Specify substrate, load, temperature, thickness budget.
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Receive DFM + arc stack + quote within 48 h.
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Approve → 3-day prototype → volume ramp.
Explore complementary services: Professional Anodizing Near Me
Ready to master cathodic arc deposition?
Contact JLY Precision Tech—the China expert who explains the process and delivers tomorrow.
Contact JLY Precision Tech—the China expert who explains the process and delivers tomorrow.
