FAQ
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TECHNOLOGIES
What is the difference between a PVD and DLC coating?
PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) designates a technology, while DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) is the name of a black, carbon-rich treatment.
What is the difference between a coating applied by CVD and by PVD?
PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) is a technology which employs physical processes.
The main PVD techniques are:
- Sputtering, as used by POSITIVE COATING
- Evaporation
- Cathodic arc
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) is a technology which employs chemical processes.
The main CVD techniques are:
- ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition), as used by POSITIVE COATING
- Plasma Enhanced CVD
- Thermal CVD
What is the difference between a coating applied by CVD and by PVD?
PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) is a technology which employs physical processes.
The main PVD techniques are::
- Sputtering, as used by POSITIVE COATING
- Evaporation
- Cathodic arc
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) is a technology which employs chemical processes.
The main CVD techniques are:
- ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition), as used by POSITIVE COATING
- Plasma Enhanced CVD
- Thermal CVD
What is the difference between a CVD and ALD coating?
CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) designates a technology, while
ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) is a technique within the CVD family.
What is the difference between a coating applied by sputtering (PVD) and by ALD (CVD)?
Sputtering involves bombarding metal sources with ions (plasma). This evaporates the atoms on the surface of the source, which condense on the treated part.
ALD technology uses gaseous precursors which react on the surface of the treated parts to form a dense layer.
What is the difference between a galvanic treatment and a PVD or ALD treatment?
Galvanic treatments are applied in baths.
PVD and ALD treatments are carried out in vacuum chambers (i.e. at reduced pressure).
CLEANING
Which cleaning operations are required before a vacuum treatment?
Before each treatment, the parts will be degreased and cleaned in our automated washing facilities. Cleaning the parts is a crucial step in guaranteeing optimal quality when depositing our treatments.
What precautions should be taken to clean PVD-coated components?
In order to respect the fragility of the parts, it is better to opt for high-frequency ultrasound-assisted washing.
Cleaning using products such as alcohol or acetone does not pose any risk to PVD treatments.
What precautions should be taken to clean ALD-coated components?
In order to respect the fragility of the parts, it is better to opt for high-frequency ultrasound-assisted washing.
Cleaning using products such as alcohol or acetone does not pose any risk to ALD treatments.
UNDER-COAT
On which materials is a galvanic under-coat required?
The galvanic under-coat is required on corrosion-sensitive materials, such as brass, nickel silver, bronze, aluminium and tungsten.
For some applications POSITIVE COATING now offers an ALD treatment replacing this galvanic under-coat.
TREATMENT THICKNESS
What is the standard thickness of a PVD/ALD coat?
The treatment thickness is approximately 1 micron for internal watch components, and approximately 2 microns for other applications requiring wear resistance.
Do PVD/ALD coatings alter watch decorations?
No. This type of treatment is used to obtain unalterable colorations while conserving surface finishes and decorations (polished, satin-finished, micro-blasted, Côtes de Genève, circular graining, etc.).
HARDNESS
What is the hardness of a PVD treatment for external decorative use (adornment)?
The hardness of our HarDeCo PVD treatment for external use is around 1500 HV.
These coats, with high-rated mechanical and chemical properties, are derived from advanced technologies such as aeronautics, aerospace or cutting tools, fields with exposure to very tough stresses.
What is the hardness of PVD/ALD decorative treatments for internal use?
The hardness of PVD/ALD decorative treatments for internal use is situated between 250 HV and 600 HV, according to the applications.
TREATABLE MATERIALS
Which materials can be PVD and ALD-treated?
Coatings suitable for various metals and ceramics:
- Stainless steel, titanium alloys, copper alloys, yellow gold, white gold, pink gold, heavy metal (tungsten), zirconia, alumina, sapphire, glass.
Can all titanium grades be coated?
Yes. All titanium grades can be coated.
Do the components have to be conductive in order to be coated?
No. The components do not necessarily have to be conductive in order to be coated.
Can PVD/ALD coatings be applied on jewelled main plates or stone-set parts?
Yes. But the coatings will also adhere to the stones or diamonds.
Why do magnetic components entail more difficulties during PVD treatment?
PVD sources are equipped with a magnetron, producing a strong magnetic field which disrupts magnetic components, especially in terms of the adhesion of the parts.
Which resist solutions are compatible with PVD/ALD processes?
Depending on the requested treatment, the possibilities are :
- Polymer-based resist solutions
- Metallic resist solutions
- Mechanical fixtures
POST-TREATMENT OPERATION
Is it possible to perform machining after PVD/ALD treatments?
Yes. It is possible to perform mechanical or laser machining after PVD/ALD treatments.
Can a PVD or ALD-coated surface be transferred or varnished?
Yes, it is possible to transfer or varnish a coated surface.
Can mounting and jewelling operations be performed in components coated with PVD or ALD?
Thanks to a deposition thickness of just around one micron, the post-treatment mounting and jewelling operations are not affected.
Similarly, tapped holes do not require any retouching before assembly.
Will the dial colour change when it is cellulose-varnished?
Yes, the colour tends to darken, lose some shine, and the decorations are softened by the cellulose varnish.
What temperatures can the coatings withstand (e.g.: lacquer drying)?
The coatings are resistant to the temperatures usually required for watchmaking operations, such as the drying of a varnish.
Can PVD/ALD-coated components be epilame-coated?
Yes. it is possible to epilame coat a PVD/ALD-coated surface without altering the colour.
Can components already with a PVD/ALD coating be retreated?
This needs to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis.
TREATMENT TEMPERATURE
What is the treatment temperature for PVD and ALD?
In most cases, the deposition temperature of a PVD coating is between 50°C and 300°C.
TREATMENT DURATION
How much time does it take to apply a PVD and ALD treatment?
Most PVD treatments require 3 to 4 hours to apply and most ALD treatments between 4 hours and 8 hours.
TREATMENT PRICE
What is the price of PVD and ALD treatments?
The price depends on the nature of the component to be treated (size, shape, material, quantity), on the properties of the desired treatment (colour, function) and on the complexity of the request from the customer.