Cross-group finish comparison
Titanium Nitride PVD vs Titanium Color Anodizing
Titanium Nitride PVD (pvd hard coatings) and Titanium Color Anodizing (anodizing & conversion coatings) solve the same problem by different routes; tiN PVD resists corrosion better.
Titanium Nitride PVD
PVD hard coatings · $$$$ · instant quote
TiN is a gold, hard ceramic PVD coating for cutting tools, moulds, medical instruments, and decorative stainless hardware.
Titanium Color Anodizing
Anodizing & conversion coatings · $$
Titanium color anodizing grows a transparent oxide whose interference color identifies parts or provides a decorative finish without dyes.
When to choose which
Choose TiN PVD
Choose TiN PVD when a durable gold appearance must survive handling and abrasion.
- About 2300 HV surface hardness
- Recognizable gold decorative colour
- 1–5 µm film preserves sharp edges
Choose Titanium anodize
Titanium anodize is the pick when its strengths below matter more than TiN PVD's.
- Produces color with only about 0.03–0.20 µm oxide
- Adds negligible dimensional change
- No dye can fade or leach from the oxide
What the numbers say
- TiN PVD resists corrosion better.
- Titanium anodize is the lower-cost option ($$).
- Titanium anodize is the thinner coating (0.03–0.2 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
- TiN PVD is conductive; Titanium anodize is insulating.
Scores side by side
Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion is derived from salt-spray test duration and surface hardness from the finish layer's Vickers hardness where a measured figure exists; a finish that leaves the base metal's own surface is not rated for hardness. Cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Scores and typical figures are screening data, not matched side-by-side tests or service-life rankings; ASTM B117 is a controlled salt-fog method, not a field-life prediction.
| Score | TiN PVD | Titanium anodize |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion resistance | 45 Fair | 25 Low |
| Surface hardness / wear | 87 Excellent | — — |
| Cosmetic quality | 88 Excellent | 92 Excellent |
| Lubricity | 45 Fair | 15 Low |
| Cost | 72 $$$$ | 38 $$ |
Key numbers
| Property | TiN PVD | Titanium anodize |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 1–5 µm | 0.03–0.2 µm |
| Surface hardness | 2,000–2,500 HV | — |
| Max service temperature | 600 °C | — |
| Electrical | Conductive | Insulating |
| Colours | gold | gold, purple, blue, green, bronze, custom voltage color |
| Relative cost | High ($$$$) | Standard ($$) |
| Added lead time | 5–10 working days | 3–7 working days |
| RoHS | Compliant | Compliant |
| Instant quote | Yes | On request |
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 | TiN PVD | Titanium anodize |
|---|---|---|
| DMLS / SLM | — | Yes |
| Stainless Steel | Yes | No |
| Steel | Yes | No |
| Titanium | With care | Yes |
| Tungsten Alloy | Yes | — |
| Aluminum | Limited | No |
| Brass | Limited | No |
| Copper Alloy | Limited | No |
Specifications and drawing call-outs
TiN PVD
No governing public specification — called out by name and thickness.
PVD COAT DESIGNATED SURFACES TiN, 2–4 µm THICK, GOLD; MAX PROCESS TEMPERATURE 450 °C; MASK THREADS AND DATUM BORES
Titanium anodize
- AMS 2488 — Anodic Treatment, Titanium and Titanium Alloys, Solution pH 13 or Higher
ANODIZE TITANIUM FOR COLOR, BLUE, MATCH APPROVED LIMIT SAMPLE FD-TI-BL-01; MASK THREADS AND ELECTRICAL CONTACTS
TiN PVD vs Titanium anodize — frequently asked
What is the difference between TiN PVD and Titanium anodize?
Titanium Nitride PVD (pvd hard coatings) and Titanium Color Anodizing (anodizing & conversion coatings) solve the same problem by different routes; tiN PVD resists corrosion better. Titanium anodize is the lower-cost option ($$). Titanium anodize is the thinner coating (0.03–0.2 µm), so it disturbs tight fits less.
When should I use TiN PVD instead of Titanium anodize?
Choose TiN PVD when a durable gold appearance must survive handling and abrasion.
Is TiN PVD or Titanium anodize cheaper?
Titanium anodize is the lower-cost finish ($$ against $$$$ for TiN 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.