PVD, CVD & thermal spray · finish comparison
CVD Titanium Carbonitride vs Multilayer CVD Tool Coating
CVD Titanium Carbonitride and Multilayer CVD Tool Coating are both cvd coatings finishes; multilayer CVD resists corrosion better.
CVD Titanium Carbonitride
CVD coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
CVD TiCN is a thick, very hard wear layer used in carbide-insert coating stacks.
Multilayer CVD Tool Coating
CVD coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
Multilayer CVD combines TiN, TiCN, alumina, or related layers to balance adhesion, abrasion resistance, heat shielding, and wear indication on carbide inserts.
When to choose which
Choose CVD TiCN
Choose CVD TiCN when a single abrasion-resistant layer is sufficient.
- About 2800–3200 HV hardness
- 5–15 µm abrasive-wear layer
- Conformal coverage
Choose Multilayer CVD
Choose Multilayer CVD when TiCN should be combined with alumina and TiN.
- Multiple wear mechanisms addressed in one stack
- 5–20 µm total thickness
- High hot-cutting durability
What the numbers say
- Multilayer CVD resists corrosion better.
- CVD TiCN is the lower-cost option ($$$$).
- CVD TiCN is conductive; Multilayer CVD is semi-conductive.
- Multilayer CVD tolerates more heat (1,000 °C continuous).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | CVD TiCN | Multilayer CVD |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 38 Fair | 62 Good |
| Surface hardness / wear | 92 Excellent | 88 Excellent |
| Cosmetic quality | 40 Fair | 45 Fair |
| Lubricity | 55 Good | 48 Fair |
| Cost | 92 $$$$ | 98 $$$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | CVD TiCN | Multilayer CVD |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 5–15 µm | 5–20 µm |
| Surface hardness | 2,800–3,200 HV | 1,800–3,200 HV |
| Max service temperature | 400 °C | 1,000 °C |
| Electrical | Conductive | Semi-conductive |
| Colours | grey, blue-grey | gold, black, grey |
| Relative cost | High ($$$$) | High ($$$$) |
| Added lead time | 7–14 working days | 10–18 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | CVD TiCN | Multilayer CVD |
|---|---|---|
| Tungsten Alloy | Yes | Yes |
| Steel | Limited | Limited |
CVD TiCN vs Multilayer CVD — frequently asked
What is the difference between CVD TiCN and Multilayer CVD?
CVD Titanium Carbonitride and Multilayer CVD Tool Coating are both cvd coatings finishes; multilayer CVD resists corrosion better. CVD TiCN is the lower-cost option ($$$$). CVD TiCN is conductive; Multilayer CVD is semi-conductive.
When should I use CVD TiCN instead of Multilayer CVD?
Choose CVD TiCN when a single abrasion-resistant layer is sufficient. Conversely: choose Multilayer CVD when TiCN should be combined with alumina and TiN.
Is CVD TiCN or Multilayer CVD cheaper?
CVD TiCN is the lower-cost finish ($$$$ against $$$$ 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.