PVD, CVD & thermal spray · finish comparison
Aluminum Chromium Nitride PVD vs Aluminum Titanium Nitride PVD
Aluminum Chromium Nitride PVD and Aluminum Titanium Nitride PVD are both pvd hard coatings finishes; alCrN PVD resists corrosion better.
Aluminum Chromium Nitride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
AlCrN is a dark grey PVD coating for high-temperature cutting, forming, moulding, and die casting tooling.
Aluminum Titanium Nitride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
AlTiN is a high-aluminum nitride PVD coating for dry, high-speed machining of hardened steels.
When to choose which
Choose AlCrN PVD
AlCrN PVD is the pick when its strengths below matter more than AlTiN PVD's.
- About 3200 HV hardness
- Oxidation resistance near 1100 °C
- Good hot hardness without titanium
Choose AlTiN PVD
Choose AlTiN PVD when a high-aluminum cutting coating is preferred.
- About 3500 HV hardness
- Useful to about 900 °C
- Excellent dry-cutting oxidation resistance
What the numbers say
- AlCrN PVD resists corrosion better.
- AlTiN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$).
- AlCrN PVD tolerates more heat (1,100 °C continuous).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | AlCrN PVD | AlTiN PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 58 Good | 52 Fair |
| Surface hardness / wear | 93 Excellent | 94 Excellent |
| Cosmetic quality | 52 Fair | 50 Fair |
| Lubricity | 40 Fair | 42 Fair |
| Cost | 86 $$$$ | 84 $$$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | AlCrN PVD | AlTiN PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 1–5 µm | 1–5 µm |
| Surface hardness | 2,900–3,400 HV | 3,200–3,800 HV |
| Max service temperature | 1,100 °C | 900 °C |
| Electrical | Semi-conductive | Semi-conductive |
| Colours | dark grey, anthracite | black, dark violet |
| Relative cost | High ($$$$) | High ($$$$) |
| Added lead time | 5–10 working days | 5–10 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | AlCrN PVD | AlTiN PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Tungsten Alloy | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | With care | With care |
| Titanium | With care | With care |
| Aluminum | Limited | Limited |
| Brass | Limited | Limited |
| Copper Alloy | Limited | Limited |
AlCrN PVD vs AlTiN PVD — frequently asked
What is the difference between AlCrN PVD and AlTiN PVD?
Aluminum Chromium Nitride PVD and Aluminum Titanium Nitride PVD are both pvd hard coatings finishes; alCrN PVD resists corrosion better. AlTiN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$). AlCrN PVD tolerates more heat (1,100 °C continuous).
When should I use AlCrN PVD instead of AlTiN PVD?
Conversely: choose AlTiN PVD when a high-aluminum cutting coating is preferred.
Is AlCrN PVD or AlTiN PVD cheaper?
AlTiN PVD is the lower-cost finish ($$$$ against $$$$ for AlCrN PVD) among the finishes FabDigit quotes. Both are priced per part with a lot minimum; the exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.