Physical vapor deposition (PVD)

Physical vapor deposition (PVD) is a surface coating process that is widely used in surface technology. In this process, a thin-film coating is applied to the substrate by vaporizing materials in a vacuum chamber and then depositing them onto the surface of the workpiece.

The PVD process typically involves several steps. First, the substrate to be coated is placed in the vacuum chamber and the vacuum is created to remove the ambient air. The coating material is then heated in the chamber to vaporize or ionize it. The resulting vapor or ion particles are then deposited onto the substrate, where they form a thin, uniform coating on the surface.

PVD coatings can be made from a variety of materials, including metals such as titanium, chromium, aluminum and copper, as well as ceramics such as aluminum oxide or silicon oxide. These coatings offer a number of benefits, including improved hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance and aesthetic properties.

The PVD process is used in various industries and applications, including the automotive industry, tool manufacturing, electronics production and medical technology. It is used to provide workpieces such as tools, cutting blades, machine parts, electronic components and medical implants with high-quality surface coatings.

Overall, the PVD process offers an effective and versatile way of improving the surface properties of workpieces and producing high-quality coatings with a wide range of materials. By precisely controlling the process parameters, customized coatings can be produced to meet the specific requirements of different applications.

Back to list

This definition is taken from the surface technology encyclopedia from Surface Technology Online. You can find many more technical terms from the surface technology industry in our lexicon overview.

Advertisement

Would you like to add technical terms to the surface technology encyclopedia (also with a mention as author)? Please contact us by mail or phone to discuss further details.