Meaning
High-vacuum deposition techniques that apply extremely thin, hard wear-resistant layers to tool surfaces protect mold components from abrasion and chemical attack. Utilizing a PVD surface coating on core inserts or slide faces extends their operating lifetime when molding glass-filled or abrasive polymers. This process creates a dense ceramic film that bonds strongly with the steel substrate without altering the part dimensions.
Wear Protection
Sliding tool components often suffer from severe galling when steel moves against steel under clamp load. Applying a PVD surface coating like chromium nitride or titanium nitride reduces the friction coefficient between these moving blocks. The resulting layer shields the soft steel core from direct contact, preventing material transfer during mold cycles.
Release Benefit
Low surface energy finishes reduce the mechanical adhesion between the solidified polymer and the steel mold surface. Utilizing a PVD surface coating on deep cores allows for smoother ejection of complex parts with zero draft angles. This reduction in ejection force prevents part deformation and reduces the reliance on sprayed mold release agents.
It also minimizes the cycle time by allowing the part to release easily even at higher ejection speeds.
Application Process
Deposition occurs at elevated temperatures under a vacuum. This process replicates the underlying steel finish, so the tool must be polished beforehand.
