PVD, CVD & thermal spray · finish comparison
Titanium Aluminum Nitride PVD vs Titanium Carbonitride PVD
Titanium Aluminum Nitride PVD and Titanium Carbonitride PVD are both pvd hard coatings finishes; tiAlN PVD resists corrosion better.
Titanium Aluminum Nitride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
TiAlN is a violet-black PVD coating for high-speed and dry cutting.
Titanium Carbonitride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
TiCN is a blue-grey PVD tool coating with about 3000 HV hardness and lower friction than TiN.
When to choose which
Choose TiAlN PVD
Choose TiAlN PVD when cutting temperature exceeds about 400 °C.
- About 3300 HV hardness
- Useful to about 800 °C
- Strong hot-wear performance
Choose TiCN PVD
TiCN PVD is the pick when its strengths below matter more than TiAlN PVD's.
- About 3000 HV hardness
- Coefficient of friction commonly 0.2–0.4
- 1–5 µm dimensional film
What the numbers say
- TiAlN PVD resists corrosion better.
- TiCN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$).
- TiAlN PVD is semi-conductive; TiCN PVD is conductive.
- TiAlN PVD tolerates more heat (800 °C continuous).
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | TiAlN PVD | TiCN PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 50 Fair | 40 Fair |
| Surface hardness / wear | 93 Excellent | 92 Excellent |
| Cosmetic quality | 62 Good | 55 Good |
| Lubricity | 45 Fair | 62 Good |
| Cost | 80 $$$$ | 76 $$$$ |
Key numbers
| Property | TiAlN PVD | TiCN PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 1–5 µm | 1–5 µm |
| Surface hardness | 3,000–3,500 HV | 2,800–3,200 HV |
| Max service temperature | 800 °C | 400 °C |
| Electrical | Semi-conductive | Conductive |
| Colours | violet-black, dark grey | blue-grey, grey |
| Relative cost | High ($$$$) | High ($$$$) |
| Added lead time | 5–10 working days | 5–10 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | Yes |
Bold marks the side that is ahead on a row where more (or less, for cost and lead time) is better. Ranges are the typical specification window; the drawing call-out fixes the class.
Which materials take each finish
| Material family | TiAlN PVD | TiCN PVD |
|---|---|---|
| Stainless Steel | With care | Yes |
| Steel | Yes | Yes |
| Tungsten Alloy | Yes | Yes |
| Titanium | With care | With care |
| Aluminum | Limited | Limited |
| Brass | Limited | Limited |
| Copper Alloy | Limited | Limited |
TiAlN PVD vs TiCN PVD — frequently asked
What is the difference between TiAlN PVD and TiCN PVD?
Titanium Aluminum Nitride PVD and Titanium Carbonitride PVD are both pvd hard coatings finishes; tiAlN PVD resists corrosion better. TiCN PVD is the lower-cost option ($$$$). TiAlN PVD is semi-conductive; TiCN PVD is conductive.
When should I use TiAlN PVD instead of TiCN PVD?
Choose TiAlN PVD when cutting temperature exceeds about 400 °C.
Is TiAlN PVD or TiCN PVD cheaper?
TiCN PVD is the lower-cost finish ($$$$ against $$$$ for TiAlN 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.