Applications

Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) is an established technology for surface treatment. The magnetron sputtering method used at Sulzer Innotec is characterized by smooth and dense layers obtained at low substrate temperatures. PVD coatings bring in numerous benefits such as friction, corrosion and wear resistance for machine components, life time extension for tools, increased bio-compatibility for materials in medical devices, surface treatment of polymers.

Medical Devices	Polymers	(Micro)- Mechanics	Tools
Cell culture on a bio-compatible PVD DLC coating.	PVD-DLC coating on polymer for wear and friction reduction	PVD titania coating for textile machinery.	Coated forging forms and stamping matrices.

Method

Principle
	Within a vacuum chamber, metals are bombarded with argon ions. The sputtered metal vapour then partially condenses on the substrate to be coated, forming a thin layer. If one adds a reactive gas in the chamber, then oxide, nitride or carbide layers can be formed.
Benefits
Sulzer Innotec PVD magnetron equipment Low substrate temperature	Multi layer coatings possible Dense coating microstructure Good adhesion Reproduction of the substrate roughness