Eco-Deposition to Create Novel Multifunctional Coating Materials

Research question 

 A unique deposition technique is developed which enables unprecedented phase and nanostructure control in the deposited material. The idea is to replace the commonly used resistive heating of components, necessary to obtain high quality coatings, by soft irradiation with metal ions, which results in more efficient energy transfer to the deposited layer.  The researcher team will synthesize all-novel materials among transition metal nitride, carbide, and boride alloys, needed for coatings to be used as tough wear-resistant and friction-reducing coatings, electronics as diffusion barriers, and for functional-decorative enhancement of components like eye-glass frames. 

Sustainability aspects

The project explores new physical vapor deposition (PVD) processing routes for 30-50% reduced energy consumption compared to current technology in large-volume industry, while maintaining or superseding coating quality: eco-PVD. Additional sustainability benefits are obtained from replacing hazardous gases used in much of todays’ processing with inert gases in this project. The devised eco-PVD process will widen operational envelops for system optimization and also allow for less harmful material choices in components and tools to be protected by a coating.