PVD, CVD & thermal spray · finish comparison
Titanium Aluminum Nitride PVD vs Titanium Diboride PVD
Titanium Aluminum Nitride PVD and Titanium Diboride PVD are both pvd hard coatings finishes; tiAlN PVD resists corrosion better.
Titanium Aluminum Nitride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
TiAlN is a violet-black PVD coating for high-speed and dry cutting.
Titanium Diboride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
TiB2 is a hard grey PVD coating chosen mainly to resist aluminum adhesion on cutting and forming tools.
When to choose which
Choose TiAlN PVD
TiAlN PVD is the pick when its strengths below matter more than TiB2 PVD's.
- About 3300 HV hardness
- Useful to about 800 °C
- Strong hot-wear performance
Choose TiB2 PVD
Choose TiB2 PVD when machining aluminum.
- About 3000–4000 HV hardness
- Low affinity for aluminum
- Sharp-edge 1–5 µm film
What the numbers say
- TiAlN PVD resists corrosion better.
- TiAlN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$).
- TiAlN PVD is semi-conductive; TiB2 PVD is conductive.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | TiAlN PVD | TiB2 PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 50 Fair | 40 Fair |
| Surface hardness / wear | 93 Excellent | 94 Excellent |
| Cosmetic quality | 62 Good | 42 Fair |
| Lubricity | 45 Fair | 65 Good |
| Cost | 80 $$$$ | 90 $$$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | TiAlN PVD | TiB2 PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 1–5 µm | 1–5 µm |
| Surface hardness | 3,000–3,500 HV | 3,000–4,000 HV |
| Max service temperature | 800 °C | 700 °C |
| Electrical | Semi-conductive | Conductive |
| Colours | violet-black, dark grey | grey, silver-grey |
| Relative cost | High ($$$$) | High ($$$$) |
| Added lead time | 5–10 working days | 7–12 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | TiAlN PVD | TiB2 PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Tungsten Alloy | Yes | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | With care | With care |
| Titanium | With care | With care |
| Aluminum | Limited | Limited |
| Brass | Limited | Limited |
| Copper Alloy | Limited | Limited |
TiAlN PVD vs TiB2 PVD — frequently asked
What is the difference between TiAlN PVD and TiB2 PVD?
Titanium Aluminum Nitride PVD and Titanium Diboride PVD are both pvd hard coatings finishes; tiAlN PVD resists corrosion better. TiAlN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$). TiAlN PVD is semi-conductive; TiB2 PVD is conductive.
When should I use TiAlN PVD instead of TiB2 PVD?
Conversely: choose TiB2 PVD when machining aluminum.
Is TiAlN PVD or TiB2 PVD cheaper?
TiAlN PVD is the lower-cost finish ($$$$ against $$$$ 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.