PVD COATING
INNOVATIONS.
Discover the latest PVD coating technologies, new coating developments, and performance advancements for cutting tools and industrial applications.
Request a QuoteFiltered Arc Coatings
North Star Coating is pleased to announce that we are teaming with Fluxion Inc. to add Filtered Arc coatings to our portfolio. Fluxion's Radial Arc technology takes coating quality to a new level by producing a cleaner stream of ionized coating material while filtering out the macroparticles that commonly create coating defects in conventional arc deposition.
This advanced deposition technology is unique to North Star Coating and expands our ability to deliver smoother coatings, stronger adhesion, and more uniform coating performance for demanding tooling applications.
Plasma Focused & Unfocused
What Does "Pure Ion Deposition" Mean?
Pure ion deposition allows North Star Coating to control the energy of every ionized particle that reaches the tooling surface. During surface preparation, higher-energy ions sputter-etch the substrate, removing contamination and leaving an atomically clean surface before coating begins.
These energetic ions also penetrate the outer surface of the tool, creating an intermixed transition layer between the substrate and the coating. This graded interface produces exceptional coating adhesion that is difficult to achieve with conventional deposition methods.
Once the surface has been prepared, the ion energy is reduced to optimize coating properties such as density, hardness, chemistry, and overall film quality.
The Process
Surface Preparation
High-energy ions sputter-clean the tooling surface, removing contamination before coating deposition begins.
Graded Interface
Ions penetrate the substrate to create an intermixed adhesion layer between the base material and the coating.
Final Deposition
Lower ion energy is used during deposition to optimize coating density, hardness, chemistry, and surface quality.
Cleaner Deposition Produces Better Coatings
Conventional arc deposition can release larger molten particles, known as macroparticles, during the coating process. When these particles become trapped within the coating, they can create raised defects or softer inclusions that interrupt the coating structure and reduce overall surface quality.
Filtered Arc technology removes many of these particles before they reach the tooling surface. The result is a cleaner deposition process capable of producing smoother, more uniform coatings while maintaining the hardness, chemistry, and density required for demanding manufacturing applications.
The process also improves coating throw, allowing coating material to reach deeper holes, recessed surfaces, and complex tool geometries with greater uniformity than conventional arc deposition.
Technology Advantages
Cleaner Plasma Stream
Filters many macroparticles before they reach the component surface.
Smoother Coating Surfaces
Produces cleaner coatings with fewer imperfections and more consistent surface quality.
Stronger Adhesion
Pure ion deposition creates an exceptional bond between the substrate and the deposited coating.
Better Coverage
Improved coating throw provides more uniform coverage on recessed features and complex tool geometries.
Let's Find the Right PVD Coating for Your Application
Whether you're coating cutting tools, dies, molds, or wear components, our team can recommend the best coating for your manufacturing process.