PVD, CVD & thermal spray · finish comparison
Chromium Nitride PVD vs Titanium Nitride PVD
Chromium Nitride PVD and Titanium Nitride PVD are both pvd hard coatings finishes; crN PVD resists corrosion better.
Chromium Nitride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
CrN is a silver-grey, tough PVD coating used on plastic moulds, forming tools, medical instruments, and anti-galling components.
Titanium Nitride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
TiN is a gold, hard ceramic PVD coating for cutting tools, moulds, medical instruments, and decorative stainless hardware.
When to choose which
Choose CrN PVD
CrN PVD is the pick when its strengths below matter more than TiN PVD's.
- About 1800 HV hardness
- Silver metallic appearance
- Good toughness and release
Choose TiN PVD
Choose TiN PVD when gold colour and higher hardness are preferred.
- About 2300 HV surface hardness
- Recognizable gold decorative colour
- 1–5 µm film preserves sharp edges
What the numbers say
- CrN PVD resists corrosion better.
- TiN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | CrN PVD | TiN PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 62 Good | 45 Fair |
| Surface hardness / wear | 83 Very good | 87 Excellent |
| Cosmetic quality | 76 Very good | 88 Excellent |
| Lubricity | 55 Good | 45 Fair |
| Cost | 75 $$$$ | 72 $$$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | CrN PVD | TiN PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 1–5 µm | 1–5 µm |
| Surface hardness | 1,600–2,000 HV | 2,000–2,500 HV |
| Max service temperature | 700 °C | 600 °C |
| Electrical | Conductive | Conductive |
| Colours | silver, silver-grey | gold |
| Relative cost | High ($$$$) | High ($$$$) |
| Added lead time | 5–10 working days | 5–10 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | CrN PVD | TiN PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Tungsten Alloy | — | Yes |
| Titanium | With care | With care |
| Aluminum | Limited | Limited |
| Brass | Limited | Limited |
| Copper Alloy | Limited | Limited |
CrN PVD vs TiN PVD — frequently asked
What is the difference between CrN PVD and TiN PVD?
Chromium Nitride PVD and Titanium Nitride PVD are both pvd hard coatings finishes; crN PVD resists corrosion better. TiN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$).
When should I use CrN PVD instead of TiN PVD?
Conversely: choose TiN PVD when gold colour and higher hardness are preferred.
Is CrN PVD or TiN PVD cheaper?
TiN PVD is the lower-cost finish ($$$$ against $$$$ for CrN 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.