Titanium Nitride (TiN)
Titanium Nitride is a bright gold ceramic coating applied to metallic surfaces by the physical vapour deposition (PVD) process. The coating has high hardness and low friction combined with moderate resistance to oxidisation.
Wallwork Cambridge produce TiN coatings using a process of electron beam evaporation under vacuum at a work piece temperature of below 500oC. This method results in coatings which are very smooth and require no post coating finishing.
TiN coatings are widely used to improve the life and performance of cutting and press tools, where a cost effective reduction in tool wear is required. It can also be applied as a wear indicator.
The coating has a very attractive bright gold colour, and this distinctive feature has resulted in TiN also being used in a number of decorative applications.
Applications
- Medical Implants and Instruments
- Aerospace components
- Cutting Tools - drills, mills, reamers, taps, gear cutters and inserts
- Plastic moulding tools - especially high finish tools
- Press tools stamping, punching and cold forming
Typical Properties
| Appearance | Bright gold metallic colour |
| Coating Thickness | 1-4 microns |
| Hardness | 2300 Hv |
| Melting Point | 2800oC |
| Max Operating Temp | 500oC |
| Friction Coefficient | TiN/TiN 0.08 - 0.25 (Static) |
| TiN/TiN 0.05 - 0.15 (dynamic) | |
| TiN/HSS 0.25 - 0.35 (Static) | |
| Elastic modulus | 600 Gpa |
| Corrosion Resistance: | Chemically very inert, insoluble in all acids except HF. Insoluble in all alkalis. Oxidation resistance in air to 400oC |
| Toxicity: | used in medical prostheses, US Food & Drug Administration has no objection to the use of TiN in the food processing industry. |