We have an extensive in-house analytical base for coatings characterisation and testing.

Coating testing services include

• Scratch test (micro) adhesion testing
• Nanoindentation and micro-hardness testing
• Phase stability by Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Vacuum Annealing and High temperature XRD
• Temperature of rapid oxidation by Thermogravimetry
• Corrosion testing by potentiodynamic polarisation tests
• Sliding wear at elevated temperatures in air or vacuum in pin-on-disk geometry
• Microabrasive wear testing
• Fatigue limit determination for coatings and thin films by impact tester
• Colourimetry
• Surface morphology and roughness by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and profilometry
• Optical microscopy

Evaluation of coating performance in standardised tests allows realistic comparisons to state of the art. It is essential for quality control.

These instruments can be used for coating development or to assess the performance of a particular coating. Advanced Electron Microscopy can further reveal the coating and its performance on the microstructure level.

Key benefits

• science based solutions using advanced PVD coatings utilising nanoscale multilayer structures as well as plasma surface treatments
• deposition of PVD coatings on industrial size components for R&D purposes
• PVD technology transfer to job coaters and PVD system manufacturers

The extensive in-house characterisation capability along with technical expertise of deposition techniques reaps excellent results for technology development. These facilities provide a 'one window' solution to the coating needs.