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Titanium Nitride PVD

PVD hard coatings · Vacuum deposition

TiN is a gold, hard ceramic PVD coating for cutting tools, moulds, medical instruments, and decorative stainless hardware.

CNC machiningSheet metalHigh cost $$$$Conductive
Quote a part with TiN PVDCompare pvd hard coatings
Titanium Nitride PVD on a machined part

What is TiN PVD?

It combines about 2300 HV hardness with a typical 1–5 µm film.

How it works

Arc or sputter PVD vaporizes titanium in a nitrogen vacuum and condenses TiN on a cleaned, electrically conductive, usually hardened substrate. Biasing improves ion bombardment and adhesion. Deposition commonly exposes the part to about 200–500 °C, so the substrate and prior heat treatment must tolerate the selected cycle; aluminum needs a qualified low-temperature cycle. Plastics cannot receive ordinary tool-coating PVD directly and require a metallized or otherwise conductive base.

Why specify it

  • About 2300 HV surface hardness
  • Recognizable gold decorative colour
  • 1–5 µm film preserves sharp edges
  • Useful to about 600 °C

Where it falls short

  • Not a substitute for correct substrate hardening
  • Ordinary cycles can over-age aluminum
  • Line-of-sight deposition needs fixturing
  • Edges and fits gain coating thickness

TiN PVD at a glance

TiN PVD is strongest on surface hardness (87 of 100) and cosmetic quality (88 of 100), at a high cost.

Corrosion protectionFair45 / 100
Surface hardnessExcellent87 / 100
Cosmetic qualityExcellent88 / 100
LubricityFair45 / 100
Relative costHigh72 / 100
CorrosionHardnessCosmeticLubricityEconomy

Each score is 0–100 against every finish in this catalog. Corrosion comes from salt-spray life (ASTM B117, log scale) and hardness from the finish layer's Vickers or pencil hardness; cosmetic, lubricity and cost are FabDigit's engineering assessment. Economy on the radar is the inverse of cost.

TiN PVD key numbers

Typical values from the governing specifications and shop practice; bars are this finish against the highest value among pvd hard coatings finishes.

Thickness1–5 µm0.04–0.2 mil
Hardness2,000–2,500 HV
Max service temp.600 °C1,112 °F
Thickness
2–4 µm for tools; decorative stainless commonly 0.5–1.5 µm over a suitable base
Hardness
2,000–2,500 HV — Approximately 2300 HV is typical; method and load affect reported values.
Electrical
Conductive
Colours
  • gold
Appearance
Bright gold to satin gold; the substrate polish remains visible through the thin film.

Where TiN PVD sits among all finishes

Surface hardness (Vickers, log scale) against corrosion protection (salt-spray hours, log scale) for every coating FabDigit offers, one cloud per finish group. TiN PVD is highlighted; hover a dot for its name or open the full map.

02550751000255075100Corrosion protection (0–100)Surface hardness (HV, log scale, 0–100)Plating — 19 finishesHard coatings — 17 finishesAnodize & conversion — 8 finishesPaint & powder — 7 finisheshard, low corrosion protectionhard and protectiveprotective, softsoft, little protectionType II anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 54BSA anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 52Type I anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 49Hard anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 61PTFE hard anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 61Nitriding — corrosion 55, hardness 73PEO — corrosion 70, hardness 74Sherardizing — corrosion 83, hardness 56Brass plate — corrosion 35, hardness 44Bronze plate — corrosion 40, hardness 49Cadmium plate — corrosion 70, hardness 26Copper plate — corrosion 32, hardness 39Decorative chrome — corrosion 64, hardness 71Electroless copper — corrosion 20, hardness 41Electroless nickel — corrosion 70, hardness 68Nickel plate — corrosion 51, hardness 55Gold plate — corrosion 68, hardness 39Hard chrome — corrosion 40, hardness 73Hot-dip zinc — corrosion 90, hardness 42Nickel-PTFE — corrosion 72, hardness 57Silver plate — corrosion 55, hardness 39Solder plate — corrosion 42, hardness 9Tin plate — corrosion 34, hardness 0Zinc plate — corrosion 60, hardness 30Zinc-nickel — corrosion 86, hardness 60Cerakote — corrosion 83, hardness 27E-coat — corrosion 83, hardness 15Epoxy coat — corrosion 83, hardness 15Powder coat — corrosion 83, hardness 14Wet paint — corrosion 59, hardness 10AlCrN PVD — corrosion 58, hardness 93AlTiN PVD — corrosion 52, hardness 94CrN PVD — corrosion 62, hardness 83DLC — corrosion 55, hardness 93MoS2 PVD — corrosion 20, hardness 26TiAlN PVD — corrosion 50, hardness 93TiCN PVD — corrosion 40, hardness 92TiB2 PVD — corrosion 40, hardness 94WC/C PVD — corrosion 48, hardness 77ZrN PVD — corrosion 52, hardness 90CVD alumina — corrosion 70, hardness 85CVD TiCN — corrosion 38, hardness 92CVD TiN — corrosion 45, hardness 87Multilayer CVD — corrosion 62, hardness 88HVOF coating — corrosion 78, hardness 77Plasma spray — corrosion 60, hardness 68Plastic chrome — corrosion 72, hardness 71Electroless plastic — corrosion 58, hardness 39Clear coat — corrosion 20, hardness 12Soft-touch — corrosion 20, hardness 5PLATINGHARD COATINGSANODIZE & CONVERSIONPAINT & POWDERTiAlN PVDType II anodizePowder coatZinc plateZinc-nickelHard chromeDLCTin plateCadmium plateE-coatCerakoteWet paintHot-dip zincNitridingHVOF coatingTiN PVD — corrosion 45, hardness 87TiN PVD
02550751000255075100Corrosion protection (0–100)Surface hardness (HV, log scale, 0–100)Plating — 19 finishesHard coatings — 17 finishesAnodize & conversion — 8 finishesPaint & powder — 7 finishesType II anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 54BSA anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 52Type I anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 49Hard anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 61PTFE hard anodize — corrosion 71, hardness 61Nitriding — corrosion 55, hardness 73PEO — corrosion 70, hardness 74Sherardizing — corrosion 83, hardness 56Brass plate — corrosion 35, hardness 44Bronze plate — corrosion 40, hardness 49Cadmium plate — corrosion 70, hardness 26Copper plate — corrosion 32, hardness 39Decorative chrome — corrosion 64, hardness 71Electroless copper — corrosion 20, hardness 41Electroless nickel — corrosion 70, hardness 68Nickel plate — corrosion 51, hardness 55Gold plate — corrosion 68, hardness 39Hard chrome — corrosion 40, hardness 73Hot-dip zinc — corrosion 90, hardness 42Nickel-PTFE — corrosion 72, hardness 57Silver plate — corrosion 55, hardness 39Solder plate — corrosion 42, hardness 9Tin plate — corrosion 34, hardness 0Zinc plate — corrosion 60, hardness 30Zinc-nickel — corrosion 86, hardness 60Cerakote — corrosion 83, hardness 27E-coat — corrosion 83, hardness 15Epoxy coat — corrosion 83, hardness 15Powder coat — corrosion 83, hardness 14Wet paint — corrosion 59, hardness 10AlCrN PVD — corrosion 58, hardness 93AlTiN PVD — corrosion 52, hardness 94CrN PVD — corrosion 62, hardness 83DLC — corrosion 55, hardness 93MoS2 PVD — corrosion 20, hardness 26TiAlN PVD — corrosion 50, hardness 93TiCN PVD — corrosion 40, hardness 92TiB2 PVD — corrosion 40, hardness 94WC/C PVD — corrosion 48, hardness 77ZrN PVD — corrosion 52, hardness 90CVD alumina — corrosion 70, hardness 85CVD TiCN — corrosion 38, hardness 92CVD TiN — corrosion 45, hardness 87Multilayer CVD — corrosion 62, hardness 88HVOF coating — corrosion 78, hardness 77Plasma spray — corrosion 60, hardness 68Plastic chrome — corrosion 72, hardness 71Electroless plastic — corrosion 58, hardness 39Clear coat — corrosion 20, hardness 12Soft-touch — corrosion 20, hardness 5PLATINGHARD COATINGSANODIZE & CONVERSIONPAINT & POWDERPowder coatZinc plateTiN PVD — corrosion 45, hardness 87TiN PVD
Anodize & conversionPlatingPaint & powderHard coatings

Specifications for TiN PVD

The documents a drawing cites to define this finish, with the Type / Class rows that apply. Each links to a page explaining the standard.

Drawing call-out

PVD COAT DESIGNATED SURFACES TiN, 2–4 µm THICK, GOLD; MAX PROCESS TEMPERATURE 450 °C; MASK THREADS AND DATUM BORES

Which materials take TiN PVD?

Verdict per material family, with the grades that behave differently. Each family links to its datasheets in the material library.

Material familyVerdictNotes
Stainless Steel
YesSuitable for functional and decorative TiN after proper activation.
Steel
YesHardened tool steels are standard substrates.
  • Confirm tempering temperature exceeds coating cycle
Tungsten Alloy
YesCemented-carbide tooling is widely coated.
  • Edge preparation controls adhesion
Titanium
With carePossible with a qualified adhesion layer and cycle.
Aluminum
LimitedUse only a qualified low-temperature PVD cycle.
  • Verify temper retention
Brass
LimitedSoft zinc-bearing alloy; decorative PVD is possible, not a wear-tool substrate.
Copper Alloy
LimitedSoft copper alloys do not support a hard nitride; decorative films need a qualified adhesion layer.
Magnesium Alloy
NoMelting point and reactivity exclude conventional PVD tool-coating cycles.
Polymer
NoOrdinary tool-coating PVD needs a conductive, temperature-resistant substrate; metallize plastic first.
Zinc Alloy
NoMelting point is below typical PVD process temperature.

How TiN PVD is applied, and what it does to the part

  1. 1Clean and polish as required
  2. 2Vacuum bake and ion etch
  3. 3Deposit adhesion layer if specified
  4. 4Reactive TiN deposition
  5. 5Cool and inspect
DimensionsSpecify coated surfaces; allow about +1–4 µm per side and do not coat an already final-size interference fit without compensation.
Build-up per side1–4 µm — Allow approximately +1–4 µm per coated side for a normal functional specification.
MaskingUsually needed. Mask threads, bearing seats, electrical contacts, and precision fits not intended to receive buildup.
ElectricalConductive
Temperature limit600 °C (1,112 °F) continuous
AppearanceBright gold to satin gold; the substrate polish remains visible through the thin film.
Added lead time5–10 working days on top of the bare part

Design rules for TiN PVD

What to decide on the drawing before the part goes to the finisher.

  1. Harden tool steel before coating.A thin hard film fails if the supporting substrate yields.
  2. State the maximum process temperature.PVD cycles can temper tool steel or over-age aluminum.
  3. Call out coated surfaces.PVD is line-of-sight and unnecessary buildup can close fits.
  4. Radius fragile edges at least 0.02 mm where function permits.Unsupported sharp edges are prone to coating damage.

TiN PVD versus the alternatives

Finishes engineers weigh against TiN PVD, and when each wins.

FinishCorrosionHardnessCosmeticCostThicknessChoose it when
TiN PVD
this page
458788$$$$1–5 µm—
Titanium Aluminum Nitride PVD
TiN PVD vs Titanium Aluminum Nitride PVD →
509362$$$$1–5 µmhigher hot hardness is required
Zirconium Nitride PVD
TiN PVD vs Zirconium Nitride PVD →
529092$$$$1–5 µma lighter decorative gold is preferred
CorrosionHardnessCosmeticLubricityEconomy
TiN PVDTitanium Aluminum Nitride PVD

The radar overlays TiN PVD with Titanium Aluminum Nitride PVD, its most common alternative — chosen higher hot hardness is required. Scores in the table are 0–100 across every finish in the catalog.

Cost, lead time and compliance

Relative cost

Titanium Nitride PVD is a high-cost finish ($$$$): more expensive than about 77 % of the finishes FabDigit quotes.

Finishing is priced per part with a lot minimum, from FabDigit's own China-side rates cross-checked against US job-shop pricing. The exact figure appears on the instant quote once the part is uploaded.

Lead time and compliance

Added lead time5–10 working days
RoHSCompliant
NotesThe deposited TiN film is generally RoHS-compliant; cleaning chemistry and source targets remain supplier-controlled.

What TiN PVD is used for

  • Cutting tools
  • Injection mould components
  • Medical instruments
  • Decorative stainless hardware

TiN PVD — frequently asked

TiN vs TiAlN: which coating should I use?

TiN is about 2300 HV, gold, and typically used to about 600 °C. TiAlN is harder and remains useful near 800 °C, so it is preferred for hotter dry cutting.

How thick is TiN PVD coating?

Functional TiN is commonly 1–5 µm thick, with 2–4 µm typical on tools. Allow roughly that same amount of growth on each coated surface.

Can aluminum be PVD coated?

Yes, but only with a low-temperature cycle compatible with the alloy and temper, often below about 200 °C. Conventional 200–500 °C tool-coating cycles can soften or over-age aluminum.

Is gold PVD real gold?

Gold-coloured TiN is titanium nitride, not elemental gold. Decorative stainless parts often use a thin TiN colour layer over a polished and adhesion-promoting base.

Does TiN change part tolerance?

Yes; a 3 µm coating adds about 3 µm per coated side and about 6 µm to a coated diameter. Mask or pre-compensate close fits.