If you are in the business of providing surface finishing services and want to expand your offerings, then learning about physical vapor deposition (PVD) coatings (also known as PVD coatings) is a good option to expand your business. If you want to use PVD services to improve the expected useful life and corrosion resistance of industrial tools and machines, you must know the advantages and disadvantages of the physical vapor deposition (PVD) coatings process.

For a company providing PVD coating services or PVD coating machines, it is always beneficial to gain the latest knowledge about any new technology in physical vapor deposition. If you want to enter the physical vapor deposition coating business, it is necessary to have an understanding of physical vapor deposition coating equipment required for different types of applications. You can also consult different PVD coating equipment suppliers to gain detailed information on the physical vapor deposition process.

For training yourself or your employees about PVD coating equipment and relevant technology, you can:

1. Read through basic information about the PVD coating process and relevant terminology at relevant online sources
2. Join associations of companies involved in the coating business
3. Read magazines and journals that provide updates in the coating industry

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Understand the basics of the PVD coating process

If you are not conversant with physical vapor deposition coating processes, you can learn the basics of the PVD coating process at different online resources. Some reputable PVD coating providers give details about the technology and specifications related to the PVD coating process.

I recommend: Learn the basics of physical vapor deposition process at EngineersHandbook.com, an online project that presents reference information about mechanical design, manufacturing and engineering, in general. In addition, SubsTech, an open knowledge resource on materials engineering, offers useful information about the physical vapor deposition process.

Subscribe to magazines that provide information about the PVD coating process

You can subscribe to coating magazines that give insights about various updates in the coating industry, including PVD coating, and new developments in the industry.

I recommend: Advanced Materials & Processes, by ASM International, is a leading magazine in the field of material processing. Surface and Coatings Technology is another international journal, by Elsevier B.V., devoted to the science and application of advanced surface coating treatments.

Join associations of PVD coating and other coating companies

Associations of surface finishing and coating companies provide a platform for communication and interaction among the service providers and customers of different types of finishing technologies.

I recommend: The Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology offers a platform for coating professionals, including PVD coating suppliers and service providers. You can join the Association of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators (AIMCAL), a global non-profit association representing converters of metallized, laminated and coated flexible substrates and their suppliers.

A PVD coating is known for its hard, wear resistant nature. The first PVD coatings were sold in the 1980s and made out of positively charged ions of metals. Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coatings are environmentally friendly and coat decorative finishes on everything from household appliances to automotive trim. Small objects and appliances are typically rotated in a vacuum chamber so that the paint is applied and dried evenly. If you don't have access to a vacuum chamber and don't plan on investing in one, professional PVD coating services are widely available.

Before deciding on who can best handle your pvd coating services, consider the following:

1. Quality paint and PVD coating machines

2. PVD coating equipment

3. Professional PVD coating services

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Buy quality coatings to work in conjunction with PVD coating machines

The secret to good PVD coating process starts with the paint. Quality paint not only looks better but lasts much longer that discount paint. If you're looking for a deal on paint, the best bet is to ask the paint provider to cut you a deal for buying in bulk.

I recommend: Surface Solutions, Inc., boasts coatings that last ten times longer than their competitors. Go to Raymor Industries, Inc. for the finest in thermal powder and metallic coatings.

Peruse vendor lists for a variety of PVD coating equipment

A physical vapor deposition coating supplier will not only offer equipment but accessories and advice as well. You can make sure that they offer solid customer service by reading company profiles or contacting the companies with any questions you may have. And, you can do this through sites that list multiple vendors for any of your PVD coating needs.

I recommend: Compare up to 10 manufacturers for PVD coating equipment with ThomasNet. Register for free with GlobalSpec and get access to over 1,000 PVD equipment distributors.

Trust a PVD coating company to do a beautiful job for you

You can certainly rely on the world wide web to find reputable companies who handle PVD coating for you, but make sure you look at portfolios of some of their other clients. If they aren't readily available on company websites, ask for them. Make sure you also cover basics like how long the coating should last, how many coats will be applied to your product and what kind of finish you will end up with.

I recommend: PVD service provider ECLAT Industries, Inc., offers PVD coatings to the medical, aviation, automotive, electrical and optical film industries. Contact Advanced Coating for military, commercial and medical applications. Both companies are ISO certified.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  PVD coating is done in a vacuum chamber. Not only do vacuum chambers need to be cleaned, employees should protect themselves from exposure to fine metal dust with masks and protective clothing.

Isotopes are a different version of atoms in a chemical element. These atoms have nuclei with varying number of neutrons, but the same number of protons. The atomic mass of each of the isotopes is different, making them physically different from each other.

Most natural elements have isotopes that are stable in their behavior. Elements can also have radioactive or unstable isotopes. Usually, for a given element, isotopes have equal number of protons and electrons and display similar chemical behavior due to a similar electronic structure.

Read on to understand the isotope terms better.

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Atom

An atom is the smallest, indivisible unit of an element that retains the properties of the element. It contains a positively charged nucleus and negatively charged electrons that orbit around it.

I recommend: You can learn more about atoms at Jefferson Lab, a useful resource on scientific education.

Radioisotopes or radioactive isotopes

In an unstable atom, the nucleus keeps changing, becomes radioactive and remits alpha, beta or gamma rays until it can achieve stability. These become radioactive isotopes.

I recommend: You can learn about radioactive isotopes at the NDT Resource Center, a resource on non-destructive testing and evaluation.

Kinetic isotope effect

The kinetic isotope effect or isotope fractionation refers to the dependency of the rate of a chemical reaction on the isotopic identity of an atom.

I recommend: Get more information on the kinetic isotope effect at the University of Victoria (PDF) website.

Neutrons

Neutrons make up the nucleus of an atom along with protons. They stick together due to a strong nuclear force. Free neutrons are radioactive and they have no electrical charge.

I recommend: At ISIS Pulsed Neutron & Muon Source, you can learn about neutrons and their history.

Protons

Protons are within an atom's nucleus along with neutrons. Protons have a positive electric charge and are generally stable. Quarks are smaller particles that form protons.

I recommend: Enhance your knowledge of protons at Windows to the Universe, a scientific and educational website at the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR).

Electrons

Atoms consist of the nucleus and electrons. Electrons usually have a negative charge, but some positrons or positively charged electrons exist. Within an atom, electrons can have differing energy levels and depending on that, they absorb or emit photons.

I recommend: Find out more about electrons at Medical.Webends.com, an online resource on medical terms. Tech Target is another useful resource that gives information on electrons.