PVD, CVD & thermal spray · finish comparison
Diamond-Like Carbon Coating vs Titanium Diboride PVD
Diamond-Like Carbon Coating and Titanium Diboride PVD are both pvd hard coatings finishes; dLC resists corrosion better.
Diamond-Like Carbon Coating
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
DLC is a family of black amorphous-carbon coatings used for very low friction and severe sliding wear.
Titanium Diboride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
TiB2 is a hard grey PVD coating chosen mainly to resist aluminum adhesion on cutting and forming tools.
When to choose which
Choose DLC
Choose DLC when lower sliding friction is more important.
- About 2000–5000 HV hardness
- Dry friction commonly 0.05–0.15
- Only 1–3 µm thick
Choose TiB2 PVD
TiB2 PVD is the pick when its strengths below matter more than DLC's.
- About 3000–4000 HV hardness
- Low affinity for aluminum
- Sharp-edge 1–5 µm film
What the numbers say
- DLC resists corrosion better.
- TiB2 PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$).
- DLC is the thinner coating (1–3 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
- DLC is semi-conductive; TiB2 PVD is conductive.
- TiB2 PVD tolerates more heat (700 °C continuous).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | DLC | TiB2 PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 55 Good | 40 Fair |
| Surface hardness / wear | 93 Excellent | 94 Excellent |
| Cosmetic quality | 72 Very good | 42 Fair |
| Lubricity | 96 Excellent | 65 Good |
| Cost | 96 $$$$ | 90 $$$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | DLC | TiB2 PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 1–3 µm | 1–5 µm |
| Surface hardness | 2,000–5,000 HV | 3,000–4,000 HV |
| Max service temperature | 350 °C | 700 °C |
| Electrical | Semi-conductive | Conductive |
| Colours | black, anthracite | grey, silver-grey |
| Relative cost | High ($$$$) | High ($$$$) |
| Added lead time | 7–14 working days | 7–12 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | DLC | TiB2 PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | Yes | With care |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Titanium | Yes | With care |
| Tungsten Alloy | — | Yes |
| Aluminum | Limited | Limited |
| Brass | Limited | Limited |
| Copper Alloy | Limited | Limited |
DLC vs TiB2 PVD — frequently asked
What is the difference between DLC and TiB2 PVD?
Diamond-Like Carbon Coating and Titanium Diboride PVD are both pvd hard coatings finishes; dLC resists corrosion better. TiB2 PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$). DLC is the thinner coating (1–3 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use DLC instead of TiB2 PVD?
Choose DLC when lower sliding friction is more important.
Is DLC or TiB2 PVD cheaper?
TiB2 PVD is the lower-cost finish ($$$$ against $$$$ for DLC) 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.