PVD stands for Physical Vapour Deposition. Metal surfaces (hinges, door pulls, lever handles) are placed inside a vacuum chamber and coated in a thin layer of hard-wearing metals such as Zirconium. When compared to electroplated products, PVD coating on door hardware provides greater corrosion and scratch resistance. Most PVD coating service on products have high temperature durability for exterior weather conditions, as well as good impact strength, excellent abrasion resistance, and higher durability, reducing the need for a protective topcoat. The finish is both long-lasting and elegant.
The PVD Coating Process Involves The Following Stages:
- Individual products with either a brass or stainless steel base are hung on strings and cleaned. To prepare the surface for coating, chemicals are used.
- After drying, the parts are placed in a PVD chamber, where reactive gasses like nitrogen and acetylene are combined with specific metals to form a thin metal alloy that coats the required products.
- They are then removed from the chamber after cooling, and a QA/QC process is carried out to ensure that the coating is uniform and that no air bubbles form during the coating process.
Surftech INC’s PVD finish consists of two coatings. The base coating is 6?m (0.006 mm) thick PVD-black. This is comparable to the hardness of many natural base metals. Following the PVD deposit, a second coating of transparent coloured lacquer (baking lacquer) with a thickness of 2030?m (0.020.03mm) is applied. The surface hardness of this PVD coating process technique is 3000HV, as opposed to 800HV for traditional plating (measured as pe Vickers Hardness Test).
Also read about, Top Decorative PVD Colors & Coatings
Maintenance of PVD Black Finish
For areas subject to harsh climatic conditions, PVD-treated door furniture is recommended. PVD treated door hardware products are resistant to salt spray, making them more suitable for use in outdoor applications than lacquered or painted metal, which tarnishes fairly quickly.
The PVD coating on the stainless steel base material makes it more scratch resistant, but it is not completely scratch proof. PVD coated products require almost no maintenance and are guaranteed not to discolor.
PVD coated products can be cleaned on a regular basis with a soft cloth dampened with water, without the use of particularly harsh detergents. The more frequently the item is cleaned, as with any metal finish, the longer its appearance and quality will last. However, like any surface, if a deliberate attempt to scratch/damage the surface is made, it will get scratched.
Surftech INC offers a comprehensive selection of door hardware, including mortise locks, lever handles, cylinders, hinges, and accessories. Our manufacturing and production processes ensure strict quality management and compliance with the highest standards. Contact us today for a quote, to learn more about our process, you can call us on +1-440-275-3356 and email us on ncotton@ercsurftech.com.
SurfTech INC 