PVD, CVD & thermal spray · finish comparison
Aluminum Chromium Nitride PVD vs CVD Alumina
Aluminum Chromium Nitride PVD (pvd hard coatings) and CVD Alumina (cvd coatings) solve the same problem by different routes; cVD alumina resists corrosion better.
Aluminum Chromium Nitride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
AlCrN is a dark grey PVD coating for high-temperature cutting, forming, moulding, and die casting tooling.
CVD Alumina
CVD coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
CVD alumina is an electrically insulating ceramic layer used as a thermal and oxidation barrier on carbide cutting inserts.
When to choose which
Choose AlCrN PVD
Choose AlCrN PVD when lower process temperature and sharper edges are required.
- About 3200 HV hardness
- Oxidation resistance near 1100 °C
- Good hot hardness without titanium
Choose CVD alumina
CVD alumina is the pick when its strengths below matter more than AlCrN PVD's.
- Strong hot chemical stability
- Thermal barrier for carbide inserts
- About 1800–2200 HV hardness
What the numbers say
- CVD alumina resists corrosion better.
- AlCrN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$).
- AlCrN PVD is the thinner coating (1–5 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
- AlCrN PVD is semi-conductive; CVD alumina is insulating.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | AlCrN PVD | CVD alumina |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 58 Good | 70 Very good |
| Surface hardness / wear | 93 Excellent | 85 Excellent |
| Cosmetic quality | 52 Fair | 35 Fair |
| Lubricity | 40 Fair | 35 Fair |
| Cost | 86 $$$$ | 95 $$$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | AlCrN PVD | CVD alumina |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 1–5 µm | 5–20 µm |
| Surface hardness | 2,900–3,400 HV | 1,800–2,200 HV |
| Max service temperature | 1,100 °C | 1,000 °C |
| Electrical | Semi-conductive | Insulating |
| Colours | dark grey, anthracite | black, dark grey |
| Relative cost | High ($$$$) | High ($$$$) |
| Added lead time | 5–10 working days | 7–14 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | AlCrN PVD | CVD alumina |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Yes | No |
| Tungsten Alloy | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | With care | No |
| Titanium | With care | No |
| Aluminum | Limited | No |
| Brass | Limited | No |
| Copper Alloy | Limited | No |
AlCrN PVD vs CVD alumina — frequently asked
What is the difference between AlCrN PVD and CVD alumina?
Aluminum Chromium Nitride PVD (pvd hard coatings) and CVD Alumina (cvd coatings) solve the same problem by different routes; cVD alumina resists corrosion better. AlCrN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$). AlCrN PVD is the thinner coating (1–5 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use AlCrN PVD instead of CVD alumina?
Choose AlCrN PVD when lower process temperature and sharper edges are required.
Is AlCrN PVD or CVD alumina cheaper?
AlCrN PVD is the lower-cost finish ($$$$ against $$$$ for CVD alumina) 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.