Thin-film technology
PVD COATINGS
Innovative & Precise
What is a PVD coating
and how does it work?
PVD coating - Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) is a high-vacuum physical process in which extremely thin yet highly durable hard material layers—or pure metallic films—are deposited onto metallic components. The primary goal is to significantly enhance the functionality of a workpiece—such as wear resistance, friction reduction, corrosion protection, and optical properties—without altering its dimensional accuracy.
PVD is employed wherever maximum performance, precision, and longevity are required, ranging from industrial components to decorative elements.
As a thin-film technology (up to approximately 5 µm), PVD allows for the coating of metals, glass, ceramics, plastics, and textiles. At RUBIG, these hard coatings are available in various colors.
We Coat Metals—and Much More
RUBIG's thin films are found on jewelry and fittings, in tool and mechanical engineering, automotive, transportation, and medical technology.
Layer Development Tailored to Your Requirements
Would you like to have PVD coatings perfectly matched to your needs? Contact us, and together we will find the ideal solution for you and your products! With our in-house PVD coating capabilities, we can also meet special requirements beyond standard coating systems.
The RUBIG Coating Center combines state-of-the-art equipment with cost-effective PVD coating processes to meet the highest standards.
Smart Surface Solutions
How Does the PVD Process Work?
1. Preparation of Components
Before the actual coating process, the workpieces undergo thorough cleaning. Depending on the material and application, special pre-treatment methods (such as micro-blasting or etching) may be required to achieve optimal adhesion properties.
2. Evacuation & Plasma Cleaning
The components are placed in a high-vacuum chamber. Here, plasma-assisted cleaning—also known as “ion etching”—is performed to remove the finest residues and activate the surface structure.
3. Generation of Coating Atoms
Using arc evaporation or sputtering, metallic materials such as titanium, aluminum, chromium, or zirconium are converted into a gaseous state. This physical process produces atoms or ions of the coating material.
4. Reactive Layer Formation
The vaporized metal atoms react with reactive gases (e.g., nitrogen or hydrocarbons) to form hard compounds such as nitrides, carbonitrides, or carbon-based layers. These compounds are deposited uniformly as a solid film on the activated surfaces of the workpieces.
5. Cooling & Quality Assurance
After coating, the components cool down in a controlled, inert atmosphere. Comprehensive quality control follows—such as visual inspection, layer thickness measurement, adhesion testing, or color measurement.
At RUBIG, Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) stands for cutting-edge technology that takes the coating of components to a new level. In a high vacuum process, atoms and atomic clusters are deposited by a selected metallic target – such as titanium, chromium or copper. This advanced method includes techniques such as thermal evaporation, ion plating or the innovative magnetron sputtering, which we have perfected at RUBIG.
Our PVD process allows the production of extremely resistant hard coatings with a thickness of a few nm up to approximately 5 µm. By precisely activating the surface of the substrate material, we ensure excellent adhesion of the coating – a critical step for a long-lasting bond. The adaptability of this process is outstanding: not only a wide variety of metals, but also a variety of substrates can be used as coating materials – metals, ceramics, glass, plastics and even textiles can be refined.
A decisive advantage of RUBIG PVD technology is surface activation at low temperatures. This ensures that no distortion occurs even with heat-sensitive materials such as plastics.
With RUBIG's expertise in PVD coating technology, we are opening up new dimensions of surface finishing in order to meet the demanding requirements of our customers and to offer innovative solutions for a variety of applications.
Typical Applications of PVD Coatings
RUBIG PVD coatings are used in a wide range of industries and components - both for functional and decorative purposes:
Tool and Mold Making
- Cutting tools: mills, drills, taps
- Forming tools: punches, dies
- Aluminum die casting and plastics processing
Mechanical &
Plant Engineering
- Bearings, piston rings, valves, seals
- Components with micro-movements or tight tolerances
- Alternative to hard chrome in food processing technology
Transportation & Automotive
- Piston pins, valve discs, injection systems
- Engine components subject to friction
- Parts exposed to corrosion or high temperatures
Medical Technology & Hygiene Applications
- Implant components, surgical instruments
- Biocompatible coating systems
- Antibacterial and antiviral variants (e.g., Cu/CuO)
Design & Lifestyle
- Watches, Jewelry, Fittings
- Door and furniture hardware
- Decorative colors such as gold, anthracite, bronze, and white gold
Your Advantages with RUBIG PVD Technology
Maximum wear and scratch resistance
Extremely low coefficients of friction – ideal for tribological systems
Outstanding corrosion protection
Thermal stability up to 900 °C
Decorative color variety with a metallic feel
Dry, environmentally friendly process without harmful substances
Overview of Our Coating Systems
RUBIG offers a broad portfolio of standard and custom coatings:
Coating System | Color | Typical Properties |
|---|---|---|
| TiN | Gold | Universally applicable, high hardness |
| TiCN | Steel blue to violet | Ideal for forming, stamping, and thread cutting of stainless steel |
| CrN / CrCN | Metallic silver / grey | Excellent sliding and corrosion resistance, suitable for plastics processing |
| ZrN / ZrCN | White gold to gold / copper to bronze | Decorative, aluminum/titanium machining, forming, medical technology |
| MoS₂-basiert | Anthracite grey | Ideal for plastics processing, non-stick, minimizes friction in vacuum |
| Cu / CuO | Copper / black | Electrically conductive, antibacterial |
| Cr-CrO | Silver to rainbow | Ideal for plastics processing, reduced adhesion, good demolding properties (PC, PMMA) |
PVD Systems –
Technology & Sustainability at RUBIG
RUBIG relies on state-of-the-art equipment, such as the in-house MICROPULS® Lotus PVD system, to achieve the highest coating quality in a cost-effective and reproducible manner.
At RUBIG, PVD coatings provide a precise, environmentally friendly, and economical solution for highly stressed components in industry and engineering.
- Coating of single parts, small batches, and industrial series components
- Environmentally friendly process: no toxic chemicals, reduced resource consumption
- Reproducible quality through comprehensive coating analysis
FAQ:
Frequently Asked Questions
about PVD Coatings
What does PVD coating mean?
PVD stands for “Physical Vapor Deposition.” In this process, metallic materials are vaporized in a vacuum and deposited as functional coatings on workpieces—for example, to provide wear protection, corrosion resistance, optical effects, or decorative finishes.
Which coatings does RUBIG offer?
TiN, TiCN, CrN, CrCN, ZrN, ZrCN, Cr-CrO, MoS₂, CuO, and many more.
How thick is a PVD coating?
Depending on the coating system, the thickness is typically around 1–5 μm.
How does the PVD process work?
The metallic coating material (e.g., Ti, Al, Cr, Zr) is vaporized in a vacuum and deposited as a solid metallic layer, or reacts with process gases to form a hard compound layer. The coating is applied precisely, uniformly, and with high adhesion under vacuum conditions.
Is PVD environmentally friendly?
Yes. PVD is a dry, solvent-free process that avoids environmentally harmful residues. It increases the service life of coated parts and reduces material consumption..
How long does the coating process take?
Typically a few working days, depending on the number and complexity of the parts. Express processing is available.
What are the advantages of a PVD coating?
PVD coatings are extremely wear-resistant, reduce friction, provide corrosion and heat protection, and impress with their variety of colors.
Which materials can be coated?
Metals such as steel, stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, and hard metals. Note: suitable pre-treatment is important for optimal adhesion.
How can I request a quotation?
Via the contact form on rubig.com or by email. Our team will provide you with individual advice.
Not sure which solution is right for you?
PVD & PACVD
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Questions about the ideal coating solution?
PVD is your perfect coating - and my specialty.
Let's connect!
DI Dr. Christian Dipolt MBA
Managing Director RUBIG Technology
RUBIG PVD Technology
A key advantage is surface activation at low temperatures.
This ensures that even heat-sensitive materials such as plastics do not experience any distortion.
