PVD, CVD & thermal spray · finish comparison
Aluminum Titanium Nitride PVD vs Titanium Diboride PVD
Aluminum Titanium Nitride PVD and Titanium Diboride PVD are both pvd hard coatings finishes; alTiN PVD resists corrosion better.
Aluminum Titanium Nitride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
AlTiN is a high-aluminum nitride PVD coating for dry, high-speed machining of hardened steels.
Titanium Diboride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
TiB2 is a hard grey PVD coating chosen mainly to resist aluminum adhesion on cutting and forming tools.
When to choose which
Choose AlTiN PVD
AlTiN PVD is the pick when its strengths below matter more than TiB2 PVD's.
- About 3500 HV hardness
- Useful to about 900 °C
- Excellent dry-cutting oxidation resistance
Choose TiB2 PVD
Choose TiB2 PVD when machining aluminum.
- About 3000–4000 HV hardness
- Low affinity for aluminum
- Sharp-edge 1–5 µm film
What the numbers say
- AlTiN PVD resists corrosion better.
- AlTiN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$).
- AlTiN PVD is semi-conductive; TiB2 PVD is conductive.
- AlTiN PVD tolerates more heat (900 °C continuous).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | AlTiN PVD | TiB2 PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 52 Fair | 40 Fair |
| Surface hardness / wear | 94 Excellent | 94 Excellent |
| Cosmetic quality | 50 Fair | 42 Fair |
| Lubricity | 42 Fair | 65 Good |
| Cost | 84 $$$$ | 90 $$$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | AlTiN PVD | TiB2 PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 1–5 µm | 1–5 µm |
| Surface hardness | 3,200–3,800 HV | 3,000–4,000 HV |
| Max service temperature | 900 °C | 700 °C |
| Electrical | Semi-conductive | Conductive |
| Colours | black, dark violet | grey, silver-grey |
| Relative cost | High ($$$$) | High ($$$$) |
| Added lead time | 5–10 working days | 7–12 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | AlTiN PVD | TiB2 PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Tungsten Alloy | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | With care | With care |
| Titanium | With care | With care |
| Aluminum | Limited | Limited |
| Brass | Limited | Limited |
| Copper Alloy | Limited | Limited |
AlTiN PVD vs TiB2 PVD — frequently asked
What is the difference between AlTiN PVD and TiB2 PVD?
Aluminum Titanium Nitride PVD and Titanium Diboride PVD are both pvd hard coatings finishes; alTiN PVD resists corrosion better. AlTiN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$). AlTiN PVD is semi-conductive; TiB2 PVD is conductive.
When should I use AlTiN PVD instead of TiB2 PVD?
Conversely: choose TiB2 PVD when machining aluminum.
Is AlTiN PVD or TiB2 PVD cheaper?
AlTiN PVD is the lower-cost finish ($$$$ against $$$$ for TiB2 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.