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Disclosure: PVD coating color corresponding to various targets and its applications Common targets and their corresponding PVD coating colors
- Titanium target material
Titanium is a commonly used PVD coating target, and its nitride, carbonitride and oxide coatings are widely used in industrial and decorative fields.
Titanium nitride (TiN)
Color: Golden yellow
Formation mechanism: In the process of PVD, titanium target reacts with nitrogen to form TiN. Nitrogen is combined with titanium atoms during sputtering to form titanium nitride films with high hardness and wear resistance. The golden color of this coating is mainly due to the selective reflection and absorption of light by the electron band structure in the TiN crystal structure.
Application: TiN coatings are commonly used in cutting tools, molds and decorative coatings. Its golden color not only improves the beauty, but also increases the wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the material.
Titanium carbonitride (TiCN)
Color: Rose gold
Formation mechanism: Titanium carbonitride (TiCN) coating is formed by sputtering titanium targets in a mixed atmosphere of nitrogen and methane (or acetylene). The color of TiCN is mainly determined by the carbon content, and increasing the carbon content will change the coating color from golden yellow to rose gold or red.
Application: TiCN coating is widely used in high-load cutting tools and wear-resistant parts because of its hardness and wear resistance better than TiN.
Titanium oxide (TiO₂)
Color: Color variation with different thicknesses (blue, purple, etc.)
Formation mechanism: PVD coating is performed in oxygen atmosphere to form titanium oxide (TiO₂) coating. The color variation of TiO₂ is mainly influenced by the thickness of the film and the effect of light interference. The larger the thickness of the film, the more obvious the interference effect, and the color varies from blue to purple.
Application: TiO₂ coatings are commonly used in optical coatings and decorative coatings to provide anti-reflection and enhanced aesthetic features.
- Zirconium target material
As a material with high hardness and corrosion resistance, zirconium nitride, carbonitride and oxide coatings are equally important in industrial and decorative applications.
Zirconium nitride (ZrN)
Color: Golden yellow
Formation mechanism: Zirconium target is sputtered in nitrogen environment to produce zirconium nitride (ZrN) coating. The golden color of ZrN is mainly due to the reflection characteristics of its crystal structure to light, which is similar to TiN but slightly different in tone.
Application: ZrN coatings are commonly used in decorative coatings, cutting tools and molds, and are popular for their high hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance.
Zirconium carbonitride (ZrCN)
Color: Dark black
Formation mechanism: Zirconium carbonitride (ZrCN) coating is formed by sputtering zirconium target in a mixed atmosphere of nitrogen and methane. Increasing the carbon content changes the color of the coating to a deep black, while increasing its hardness and wear resistance.
Applications: ZrCN coatings are used in high-performance cutting tools and wear-resistant mechanical parts to provide superior wear and corrosion resistance.
Zirconium oxide (ZrO₂)
Color: Clear or white
Formation mechanism: PVD coating is performed in oxygen environment to form zirconium oxide (ZrO₂) coating. ZrO₂ has excellent thermal stability and electrical insulation properties, and its color is transparent or white depending on the crystal structure and impurity content.
Application: ZrO₂ coatings are widely used in high-temperature environments, electronic devices and medical ceramics.
- Chromium target material
Chromium target in PVD coating can form a variety of colors of nitride and oxide coating, a wide range of applications.
Chromium nitride (CrN)
Maintain a high vacuum environment: During sputtering, maintain a high vacuum in the vacuum chamber to reduce the influence of residual gases. Chamber cleanliness can be further improved by changing the vacuum pump oil more frequently or using a higher grade vacuum pump.
Regular equipment maintenance: Regular cleaning and maintenance of sputtering equipment, especially target fixtures and electrode parts, to avoid contamination caused by equipment aging or residue accumulation.
Target surface protection: When the target is not in use, take appropriate protective measures, such as the use of protective cover or dust film, to avoid impurities in the environment attached to the surface of the target.
Chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃)
Color: Yellow, green, purple
Formation mechanism: Chromium target was sputtered in oxygen environment to form chromium oxide (Cr₂O₃) coating. The color depends on the thickness of the coating and the crystal structure, and the common ones are yellow, green and purple.
Application: Cr₂O₃ coatings are mainly used for decorative applications and protective coatings, offering a variety of color options and excellent corrosion resistance.
- Stainless steel target
PVD coatings on stainless steel targets are diverse in color and performance and are widely used in decorative and functional fields.
Stainless steel nitride
Color: Blue
Formation mechanism: The stainless steel target is coated with PVD in a nitrogen environment to form a blue stainless steel nitride coating. The color is mainly determined by nitrogen content and sputtering parameters.
Application: This blue coating is often used in decorative applications to enhance product aesthetics and corrosion resistance.
Stainless steel oxide
Stainless steel oxide color: purple
Formation mechanism: Sputtering stainless steel target in oxygen environment to produce purple stainless steel oxide coating. The color depends on the oxide thickness and the light interference effect.
Application: Purple coating is mainly used for high-end decorative products to provide unique appearance and protective properties.
Stainless steel methane compound
Color: Bright black
Formation mechanism: The stainless steel target is coated with PVD in a methane environment to form a bright black methane compound coating. The high carbon content gives the coating a deep black color and high hardness.
Application: This bright black coating is used in highly wear-resistant tools and mechanical parts to enhance their durability and aesthetics.
- Silicon target material
PVD coatings on silicon targets have important applications in electronics and optics, and the coatings of nitrides, oxides and methane compounds come in a variety of colors.
Siliconitride
Color: Black
Formation mechanism: The silicon target is coated with PVD in a nitrogen environment to form a black silicon nitride coating. Its color is mainly determined by the nitrogen content and coating thickness.
Application: This black coating is commonly used in electronic devices and high temperature applications, providing excellent mechanical properties and heat resistance.
Silicon oxide
Color: cloudy white or transparent
Formation mechanism: The silicon target is sputtered in the oxygen environment to produce a cloudy white or transparent silicon oxide coating. Its color depends on the crystal structure and impurity content.
Applications: Silicon oxide coatings are widely used in electronic and optical fields, providing good insulation and light transmission properties.
Silomethane compound
Color: Yellow, green, blue, black
Formation mechanism: The silicon target is coated with PVD in a methane environment to form a multi-color methane compound coating, Common target and its corresponding PVD coating color.
In PVD (physical vapor deposition) technology, the choice of target material is one of the key factors in determining the color of the coating. In this paper, several common targets and their corresponding PVD coating colors will be discussed in detail, and the mechanism of color formation and practical application cases will be analyzed to demonstrate the importance of PVD technology in modern manufacturing.
The relationship between target material and coating color
The choice of target material is one of the key factors to determine the color of PVD coating. Different targets in the PVD process will chemically react with the reaction gas to form compounds with different colors. For example, a titanium target reacts with nitrogen to form a gold-colored titanium nitride (TiN), while reacting with oxygen may produce a blue or purple titanium oxide (TiO₂). In addition, film thickness, substrate type, and process parameters such as temperature and pressure can also significantly affect the final color of the coating.
Decorative application
Jewelry and watches: PVD coating technology can give jewelry and watches rich colors, such as rose gold, gold and bright black. These colors not only enhance the aesthetic value of the product, but also increase its wear and corrosion resistance.
Home hardware: The application of PVD coating in home hardware (such as doorknobs, faucets) gives its surface a rich choice of colors (such as black, silver), while significantly improving its durability.
Functional application
Cutting tools and tools: Wear resistant gold (such as TiN) and black (such as ZrCN) coatings significantly improve the service life and performance of cutting tools and tools, reducing maintenance costs.
Medical equipment: The application of antibacterial coatings (such as silver coatings) in medical equipment improves the hygienic performance of the equipment and reduces the risk of infection.