China PVD Coating Service: Complete Guide to PVD Finish Color Options & Durability for Precision Parts
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Introduction
When engineers and designers search “pvd finish color options pvd coating durability” they need more than a swatch card—they need hard data, failure thresholds, and a partner who can deliver both beauty and brawn. As a China-based PVD coating service with sputtering, arc-evaporation and HiPIMS lines, we have coated more than 5 million parts ranging from 0.1 mm catheter tips to 2 m satellite brackets. This guide distills everything we have learned about color science, adhesion mechanics and service life so you can choose confidently. -
How PVD Creates Color
Unlike paint, PVD color arises from optical interference within nanometre-scale ceramic films (TiN, CrN, ZrN, TiAlN, DLC, etc.). By varying the layer stack, gas mix and bias voltage we shift the reflected wavelength—and therefore the perceived color—without adding dyes that can leach or UV-fade. The result is an intrinsically metallic finish that is both chemically inert and electrically conductive (except DLC). -
Color Palette & Durability Matrix
The following table lists the 15 most-requested finishes, their typical decorative thickness, micro-hardness, neutral salt-spray (NSS) performance and common applications.
| Color Name | Base Material | Layer Stack | Thickness (µm) | Vickers HV | NSS Hours (ASTM B117) | Taber Wear Cycles (CS-10, 1 kg) | Typical Use-Case | 2024 Price Index (USD/dm²) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Champagne Gold | SS 316L | TiN | 0.3 | 2,400 | 500 | 2,500 | Luxury watch bezel | 0.42 |
| Rose Gold | SS 316L | TiCN | 0.4 | 3,000 | 480 | 2,800 | Jewelry clasp | 0.44 |
| True Black | Aluminum 6061 | Cr + CrN + DLC | 1.2 | 2,900 | 1,000 | 10,000 | Automotive trim | 0.58 |
| Graphite Black | SS 304 | CrN + TiAlN | 0.5 | 3,200 | 800 | 8,000 | Drone chassis | 0.48 |
| Royal Blue | SS 304 | TiAlN (high bias) | 0.4 | 3,100 | 600 | 5,500 | Architectural panel | 0.51 |
| Sky Blue | Titanium Grade 5 | TiO₂ / TiN multilayer | 0.35 | 2,700 | 550 | 3,000 | Eyewear frame | 0.49 |
| Emerald Green | SS 316L | TiAlCrN | 0.45 | 3,300 | 520 | 4,200 | Pen barrel | 0.53 |
| Purple Haze | SS 316L | ZrN + TiN gradient | 0.4 | 2,800 | 480 | 3,800 | Headphone housing | 0.50 |
| Copper | SS 304 | Cu seed + TiCN | 0.5 | 2,600 | 450 | 3,000 | Kitchen faucet | 0.45 |
| Bronze | SS 304 | TiCN + TiAlN | 0.4 | 2,900 | 500 | 3,200 | Door handle | 0.46 |
| Nickel-Chrome | Zamak 3 | Cr | 0.3 | 1,900 | 200 | 1,000 | Cosmetic cap | 0.35 |
| High-Reflect Silver | Brass | Ag + TiN | 0.3 | 1,800 | 150 | 800 | Reflector | 0.40 |
| Matte Black DLC | SS 420 | DLC | 1.5 | 4,500 | 1,200 | 15,000 | Knife blade | 0.62 |
| Rainbow Oil-Slick | SS 316L | Ti + TiN gradient | 0.3 | 2,400 | 400 | 2,200 | Bicycle pedal | 0.47 |
| Clear Hard | Aluminum 7075 | Al₂O₃ | 0.2 | 1,600 | 300 | 1,800 | Smartphone frame | 0.38 |
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Factors That Affect PVD Coating Durability
4.1 Substrate Preparation
A Ra ≤ 0.1 µm mirror finish extends wear life by 30 %. We use multi-stage ultrasonic cleaning, plasma etch and a 50 nm Cr adhesion layer to prevent blistering.
4.2 Process Parameters
Higher bias (120–150 V) increases density but may embrittle thin foils. Our closed-loop optical monitor keeps thickness tolerance ±3 % across 1 m fixtures.
4.3 Post-Treatments
Vacuum annealing at 250 °C for 2 h reduces compressive stress and boosts NSS hours by 18 %.
4.4 Service Environment
Chloride > 500 ppm in coastal air cuts TiN life to 300 h unless sealed with nano-ceramic topcoat.
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Choosing the Right Color for Durability
Rule of thumb: the darker and thicker the DLC, the better the scratch resistance; the lighter the gold, the higher the perceived luxury but lower the salt-spray margin. If your part faces UV plus salt (marine electronics), choose Graphite Black over Rose Gold. -
Cost vs Life-Cycle Value
While Rose Gold costs 5 % more than Champagne Gold per dm², its micro-hardness is 25 % higher, translating to 1.4× longer replacement interval in high-touch applications. Over 100,000 door handles, this saves USD 24,000 in warranty claims. -
Case Studies
7.1 Luxury Watch Case – Champagne Gold TiN
Client: Shenzhen OEM producing 50 k watch cases per month.
Challenge: 9H scratch resistance while retaining <0.5 µm edge radius.
Solution: 0.3 µm TiN on vacuum-cast 316L, followed by 30 min barrel burnishing.
Result: 0.2 % field return rate after 24 months, vs 3 % for electroplated gold.
7.2 Marine Drone Chassis – Graphite Black TiAlN
Client: Qingdao robotics startup.
Challenge: 1,000 h salt-spray plus 12 h sand slurry erosion.
Solution: 0.5 µm CrN bond + 0.5 µm TiAlN top; sealed with fluoropolymer.
Result: Passed MIL-STD-810H, 1,200 h NSS, 0.3 mg mass loss in erosion test.
7.3 Surgical Drill Bit – Matte Black DLC
Client: Jiangsu medical device supplier.
Challenge: Autoclave 150 cycles at 134 °C without delamination.
Solution: 1.5 µm DLC on cryo-treated SS 420; post-polish Ra 0.02 µm.
Result: Adhesion > 60 N in scratch test, zero corrosion after 200 cycles.
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Design Tips for Maximizing Color & Durability
• Avoid sharp inside corners <0.2 mm; use edge radius to prevent shadowing.
• Mask threaded holes with silicone plugs to prevent coating build-up that galling.
• Specify color Lab* tolerances instead of subjective names—ΔE < 1.0 guarantees batch consistency.
• For biocompatible parts, insist on ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity test report.
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Quality Control & Testing Protocol
Incoming: White-light interferometry for Ra, SEM for carbide inclusions.
In-process: Quartz crystal microbalance for ±3 % thickness.
Outgoing: Dektak stylus scan, Rockwell C indentation for HF1–HF4 adhesion class.
Archive: Every lot retains a coated witness coupon for 10 years.
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Sustainability & RoHS Compliance
Our arc evaporation targets are 99.9 % pure titanium; no hexavalent chromium is used. Waste targets are recycled by a certified refiner; argon gas is reclaimed at 85 %.
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Ordering Guide for International Clients
Step 1: Send STEP file + surface area calculation.
Step 2: Receive DFM report and color sample disk within 72 h.
Step 3: Confirm via PO; 15-day standard lead time; DDP or FOB Shenzhen.
Payment: T/T 30 % deposit, 70 % before shipment; PayPal accepted < USD 5 k.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can PVD black be touched-up after laser engraving?
A: Yes—laser removes DLC locally; we re-coat only the ablated zone via spot mask.
Q: Does color fade at 300 °C?
A: TiN gold shifts ΔE < 0.5 after 100 h at 300 °C, visually negligible.
Q: Is PVD food-safe?
A: All listed nitrides pass FDA 21 CFR 175.300 extraction tests.
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Conclusion
Color and durability are not trade-offs when the PVD stack is engineered for the environment. By matching the film system to substrate and use-case, our China facility delivers finishes that survive salt, sweat and sunlight while turning heads in the showroom. Request your free color & durability sample kit today.
