PVD, CVD & thermal spray · finish comparison
Aluminum Titanium Nitride PVD vs Multilayer CVD Tool Coating
Aluminum Titanium Nitride PVD (pvd hard coatings) and Multilayer CVD Tool Coating (cvd coatings) solve the same problem by different routes; multilayer CVD resists corrosion better.
Aluminum Titanium Nitride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
AlTiN is a high-aluminum nitride PVD coating for dry, high-speed machining of hardened steels.
Multilayer CVD Tool Coating
CVD coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
Multilayer CVD combines TiN, TiCN, alumina, or related layers to balance adhesion, abrasion resistance, heat shielding, and wear indication on carbide inserts.
When to choose which
Choose AlTiN PVD
Choose AlTiN PVD when sharp edges and lower process temperature matter.
- About 3500 HV hardness
- Useful to about 900 °C
- Excellent dry-cutting oxidation resistance
Choose Multilayer CVD
Multilayer CVD is the pick when its strengths below matter more than AlTiN PVD's.
- Multiple wear mechanisms addressed in one stack
- 5–20 µm total thickness
- High hot-cutting durability
What the numbers say
- Multilayer CVD resists corrosion better.
- AlTiN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$).
- AlTiN PVD is the thinner coating (1–5 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | AlTiN PVD | Multilayer CVD |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 52 Fair | 62 Good |
| Surface hardness / wear | 94 Excellent | 88 Excellent |
| Cosmetic quality | 50 Fair | 45 Fair |
| Lubricity | 42 Fair | 48 Fair |
| Cost | 84 $$$$ | 98 $$$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | AlTiN PVD | Multilayer CVD |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 1–5 µm | 5–20 µm |
| Surface hardness | 3,200–3,800 HV | 1,800–3,200 HV |
| Max service temperature | 900 °C | 1,000 °C |
| Electrical | Semi-conductive | Semi-conductive |
| Colours | black, dark violet | gold, black, grey |
| Relative cost | High ($$$$) | High ($$$$) |
| Added lead time | 5–10 working days | 10–18 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | AlTiN PVD | Multilayer CVD |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Yes | Limited |
| Tungsten Alloy | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | With care | No |
| Titanium | With care | No |
| Aluminum | Limited | No |
| Brass | Limited | No |
| Copper Alloy | Limited | No |
AlTiN PVD vs Multilayer CVD — frequently asked
What is the difference between AlTiN PVD and Multilayer CVD?
Aluminum Titanium Nitride PVD (pvd hard coatings) and Multilayer CVD Tool Coating (cvd coatings) solve the same problem by different routes; multilayer CVD resists corrosion better. AlTiN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$). AlTiN PVD is the thinner coating (1–5 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use AlTiN PVD instead of Multilayer CVD?
Choose AlTiN PVD when sharp edges and lower process temperature matter.
Is AlTiN PVD or Multilayer CVD cheaper?
AlTiN PVD is the lower-cost finish ($$$$ against $$$$ for Multilayer CVD) 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.