Finishes
PVD Finishes
Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) is a versatile PVD coating material process used to deposit thin films of various materials onto a surface. This technique produces durable, decorative PVD finishes suitable for architectural and industrial applications.
The process involves the physical transfer of material from a source to a substrate using vacuum and energy, forming long-lasting PVD coatings trusted by designers and manufacturers across the UK.
Maximum Panel Size: 1500 x 3000mm
Appropriate products and material: Stainless Steel only (Woven Wire Mesh)
The Benefits of Using PVD Finishes
Our PVD coating, represents a breakthrough in the realm of coloured stainless steel. This innovative process not only enhances the surface but also substantially elevates its durability and hardness. Achieved through PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) Titanium Ion Plating, this method enhances stainless steel’s performance by bolstering its resistance against wear, scratches, and corrosion. Compared to conventional coating techniques like electroplating or powder-coating, the durability of PVD coloured stainless steel far surpasses expectations. When integrated with woven wire mesh, our PVD-coated stainless steel exhibits exceptional versatility and aesthetic appeal, offering architects and designers a wide array of creative possibilities for interior and exterior applications.
Environment Benefits of PVD Finishes
The PVD process stands out for its environmental friendliness compared to techniques like electroplating and painting. It boasts zero discharge of gas, water waste, or residual substances. In the preparation phase for PVD colouring of stainless steel, solely plant-based solutions and cloths are employed for cleaning. This approach eliminates the need for solvents or harsh chemicals, ensuring the absence of toxic liquids in the process.
Sturdy, UV light stability, and further qualities
PVD coloured stainless steel stands as a pinnacle of durability in architectural and design applications. Its scratch-resistant properties render it ideal for environments subjected to constant wear and tear, ensuring longevity and aesthetic appeal. The robust finish, boasting a hardness level approximately ten times that of traditional stainless steel, provides unparalleled protection against damage and degradation over time. Moreover, its UV-light stability guarantees colour retention, maintaining the vibrancy and integrity of the surface even in outdoor settings. With the exception of the Gun Metal variant, which may experience slight fading, PVD coloured stainless steel offers enduring performance and aesthetic excellence across a myriad of applications.
What is PVD?
Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) is a technique used to deposit thin films of one atom (or one molecule) at a time onto various surfaces, often metal, to give them a hard durable coating. The source of the coating is physical that is a solid or liquid instead of chemical as in the alternative coating process of Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD).
PVD processes are carried out under vacuum conditions. The process involves four steps: These are Evaporation, Transportation, Reaction, Deposition.
Evaporation – A target is bombarded by a high energy source such as a beam of electrons or ions. This dislodges atoms from the surface of the target, ‘vaporising’ them, therefore depositing the material on the work piece.
Transport – This is the movement of the vaporised atoms from the target to the substrate, or piece to be coated.
Reaction – In cases where metal is the target the PVD coatings will consist of metal oxides, nitrides, carbides and similar such materials. The atoms of metal will then react with the selected gas during the transport stage. The gases used in the above coatings may be oxygen, nitrogen and methane.
Deposition – This is when the coating builds up and bonds to the surface of the substrate. It even penetrates the surface slightly, to give a lasting level of adhesion.
Different types of PVD
There are a several different types of ways in which the PVD finish can be applied, each have their positive and negative points:
- Cathodic Arc Deposition: This involves a high-power electric arc which blasts into highly ionized vapour to be deposited onto the intended product.
- Electron beam physical vapour deposition: The material is heated to a high vapour pressure by electron bombardment in “high” vacuum. The material is deposited by the condensation process onto the product.
- Evaporative deposition: The material is heated to a high vapour pressure by electrically resistive heating in “low” vacuum.
- Pulsed laser deposition: In this case a high-power laser is used to melt material from the target into a vapour for deposition.
- Sputter deposition: In which a glow plasma discharge (usually localised around the “target” by a magnet) bombards the material sputtering some away as a vapour to bring about deposition of the coating.
Applying PVD to Products
The PVD machine can coat the below materials:
- Stainless Steel Sheet (both single and double sided)
- Woven Wire Mesh (recommended double sided)
- Perforated Sheet (both single and double sided)
- Profiled Sheets (both single and double sided)
- Laser Cut Sheet (both single and double sided)
Size & Thickness
Standard Sizes:
- 1000mm x 2000mm
- 1250mm x 2500mm
- 1500mm x 3000mm
- Bespoke Sizes
Thickness:
- Stainless Steel Sheets & Perforated Sheet: 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm and 3mm
- Profiled Sheet: 1mm and 1.5mm
- Laser Cut Sheet: 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm and 3mm
- Woven Wire Mesh: Overall thickness 10mm
PVD’s Durability
- Exceptional Scratch Resistance: Highly durable, ideal for high-traffic areas.
- Robust Finish: PVD coating creates a surface up to ten times harder than stainless steel itself, offering exceptional protection against physical damage and corrosion.
- UV Light Stability: Maintains colour integrity even when exposed to sunlight, ensuring long-lasting vibrancy indoors or outdoors.
- Twelve-Year Guarantee: Our commitment to quality and durability is backed by a twelve-year guarantee, providing you with peace of mind and confidence in your investment.
Spectrum of Colours
- Colour Matching Capability: Can be seamlessly color-matched to other finishes and materials, ensuring cohesive design aesthetics.
- Versatile Colour Options: Available in a wide spectrum of colors, providing flexibility for design customization to suit various preferences and applications.
- Affordable Alternative: Mimics the appearance of more expensive materials like bronze, brass, and gold, offering a cost-effective and easy-to-maintain alternative without compromising on aesthetic appeal.
- Natural Appearance Option: Can be specified to be completely colourless, retaining the natural stainless steel appearance for a sleek and timeless look.
Applied to a variety of products
PVD finishes can be used on a range of different products including:
- Stainless Steel Sheet
- Perforated Sheet
- Profiled Sheet
- Woven Wire Mesh
- Laser Cut Sheet
Cost-effective
PVD coatings not only enhance the durability and aesthetic appeal of surfaces but also offer cost-effective solutions in design. This is because it allows designers to design with and specify less expensive stainless steel, compared to brass, bronze and copper. Designers can comfortability specify stainless steel products knowing when it is all PVD coated it will help deliver a consistent and cohesive design.
A world of knowledge you may or may not know of about working with our metal meshes and their finishes. We will cover the full manufacturing processes of our products, the need to knows as well as the capabilities and limitations of our products.
