LTAVD coating occurs in a high vacuum environment. Within the vacuum chamber, Vapor Tech uses a proprietary center-mounted target rod of the material to be coated, such as zirconium, titanium or chromium. The system strikes a high current arc that travels up, down and around the target rod. The arc vaporizes the target material resulting in a high-energy plasma that carries ionized atoms toward parts mounted on special racks that rotate continuously during the coating period. The ionized atoms are attracted to the electrically biased parts and build up to form a dense coating. Depending upon the specific coating recipe, reactive gases such as nitrogen, oxygen and methane (containing carbon) are introduced into the chamber to form nitrides, oxides and carbides. The gases react with the ionized atoms to create a variety of coating characteristics and colors. LTAVD coatings form an extremely strong bond to parts. The final coatings are exceptionally hard, thin and durable.
|
