I. Core Introduction - Equipment structure: It mainly includes a vacuum system, DC arc power supply, target
material assembly, workpiece frame and bias voltage power power
supply, etc. The overall design is simple and the technology
maturity is high.
- Working principle: In a vacuum chamber, direct current high voltage generates a
stable arc on the surface of the target material (metal or alloy),
and the instantaneous high temperature causes explosive evaporation
of the target material, forming a high-density metal plasma. Under
the action of a negative bias electric field, plasma bombards and
deposits on the surface of the workpiece at high speed, eventually
forming a dense film coating.
Ii. Core Features - The arc excitation method is simple: It directly generates an arc relying on a DC power supply without
the need for complex auxiliary excitation devices, and the
operation threshold is low.
- The plasma ionization rate is high: it can reach 60% to 90%, and the film layer forms a metallurgical
bond with the workpiece substrate, with a bonding force far
exceeding that of ordinary coating technology.
- Wide adaptability of target materials: It can be compatible with various pure metal targets such as
titanium, chromium, aluminum, and zirconium, as well as alloy
targets such as TiAl and CrN, flexibly meeting different coating
requirements.
- Rich types of film layers: It can prepare various functional or decorative coatings such as
metal films, nitrides, carbides, etc., such as TiN (titanium gold),
CrN (chromium nitrogen), etc.
- There is a slight droplet phenomenon: During the arc evaporation process, a small number of tiny metal
droplets will be produced on the surface of the target material,
which may cause fine particles to exist on the surface of the film
layer.
Iii. Main Advantages - Low equipment cost: The structure is simple, and the core components (DC power supply,
vacuum system) technology is mature. The procurement and
maintenance costs are much lower than those of RF and microwave
multi-arc coating machines, making it suitable for small and
medium-sized manufacturers to enter the market.
- High deposition efficiency: The deposition rate can reach 10 to 100μm/h, which is 5 to 10
times that of technologies such as magnetron sputtering. This can
significantly enhance the efficiency of batch production and reduce
the coating cost per unit product.
- The film layer has excellent performance: The film layer is dense, has high hardness (usually up to
HV1500~3000), strong wear resistance and corrosion resistance, and
can significantly extend the service life of the workpiece.
- Easy operation: Simple parameter adjustment (mainly controlling arc current, bias
voltage, and vacuum degree), no need for professional senior
technicians, quick to get started, and strong production stability.
- Wide adaptability to workpieces: It can handle various substrates such as metals and ceramics, and
can cover workpieces of different shapes and sizes such as cutting
tools, hardware parts, and molds. It has good winding and plating
properties.
Iv. Typical Application Scenarios - In the tool industry, cutting tools such as drill bits, milling
cutters, taps, and precision molds like stamping dies and injection
molds are treated with hard coatings like TiN and TiAlN to enhance
their wear resistance and service life.
- Hardware decoration industry: bathroom fixtures, door and window
hardware, furniture accessories, watch cases and bands, etc., with
decorative film layers such as titanium gold, rose gold, and gun
gray, which are both aesthetically pleasing and anti-corrosive.
- In the mechanical manufacturing industry: Key components of
automotive engines such as piston rings, valve tapers, and gears
are coated with wear-resistant coatings like CrN to enhance their
adaptability to working conditions. Coating the surfaces of
hydraulic components, bearings, etc. to enhance their wear
resistance and corrosion resistance.
- The daily necessities industry: tableware, kitchenware, spectacle
frames, etc., achieve decorative effects and basic protection
through coating, improving the texture and service life of the
products.
- In the electronics industry: Conductive coatings and shielding
coatings for some electronic components, by taking advantage of
their excellent conductivity and adhesion, ensure the stable
performance of the components.
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