The Armoloy TDC® coating is characterized by the fact that it is multifunctional and has several properties worth mentioning. Here are the 10 most important properties of the coating:
Tribology
One of the key distinguishing features of Armoloy TDC® coating is its pearl-like surface structure. This surface contributes to many unique properties of the coating, including its color, friction coefficient, wetting, and wear characteristics. Armoloy TDC® coating reduces the friction coefficient to a minimum, providing excellent tribological properties. The lubricity of the coating can be enhanced by using lubricants, as they are stored within the pearl-like surface structure, ensuring long-lasting lubrication of component surfaces.
Adhesion
The adhesion of Armoloy coating is excellent, ensuring that the coating does not peel off. In contrast to hard chrome plating, Armoloy TDC® has a pearl-like surface structure with 1 µm-sized chrome pearls that adhere closely to the material. In comparison, hard chrome plating has a layered structure with micro-cracks. In a test with linear guides, it was observed that the hard chrome plating began to peel off after a certain period of use, while the Armoloy TDC® coating showed no signs of peeling even after triple the duration of use.
Furthermore, the Armoloy TDC® coating is highly elastic and resistant to rolling. Even after impacts and bending of the workpiece, the coating does not peel off.
Hardness
The Armoloy TDC® coating is a very hard chromium layer with a hardness of 1200 HV0.1. Due to this high hardness, coated parts exhibit excellent surface wear resistance.
However, it is important to note that the coating is only 2-7 µm thick and behaves like an eggshell. If the base material is subjected to impacts or forces, the Armoloy TDC® coating may also deform. Therefore, it is advisable to ensure that the base material has sufficient strength to ensure the longevity of the coating.
Corrosion resistance
Our coating is regularly tested in salt spray tests according to AMS 2438 standard and has a resistance of 50 hours without signs of corrosion. In comparison to hard chrome plating, experiments have shown that the Armoloy TDC® coating performs twice as well. This is attributed to the dense pearl structure of the Armoloy TDC® coating, while hard chrome plating exhibits micro-cracks.
Additionally, the Armoloy TDC® coating is oxidation-resistant up to a temperature of 800°C. It should be noted that the corrosion resistance of the coating depends on various factors such as the type of base material, the environment, and the operating conditions.
Glide properties
Due to its pearl-like surface structure, the Armoloy TDC® coating achieves a very low friction coefficient of 0.12 µ (approximately 50% lower than that of steel). The low friction coefficient results in excellent glide properties that are water and dirt repellent. The Armoloy TDC® coating is particularly suitable for applications with cleanliness requirements, such as medical, pharmaceutical, and food industry components, where minimal or no lubrication is allowed.
Thanks to its wear-resistant layer, the service life of Armoloy-coated parts can be extended by five times, reducing costs and downtime.
Dimensional stability
The best properties of the Armoloy TDC® coating are evident when the coating thickness ranges from 2 µm to 7 µm. With the thin coating thickness and special coating method, we can coat components uniformly and precisely. If tight tolerances are required, we can coat and measure components with micrometer accuracy in consultation with the customer.
With our X-ray measuring device, we can measure the coating thickness of the components to a tenth of a micrometer and provide a protocol upon customer request. This ensures that the coating meets the customer's requirements and ensures the highest dimensional accuracy.
Cold welding protection
Metals coated with Armoloy TDC® are protected against cold welding. This means that when two coated metal parts come into contact, undesirable bonding through cold welding does not occur, which is particularly important in the automotive industry. It is possible to coat both internal and external threads as well as other form-fitting elements of assemblies, expanding the application possibilities.
For molded parts, the plastic or rubber adheres less to the coated surface, making it easier to remove the molded components from the form parts. Residues on the form parts can also be cleaned more easily.
Visual appearance
The TDC® Armoloy coating has a matte gray tone. When the parts are oil-free, they appear slightly brighter, with a color tone similar to ABITA 1120 KNITTED. Oiled parts are slightly darker, corresponding approximately to ABITA 0340 WISE GREY. The color is consistent throughout the entire workpiece.
It is also possible to polish the workpieces to a high gloss using a polisher. However, this process removes the matte surface structure and creates a shiny surface.
Sustainability and cost-effectiveness
Thanks to the Armoloy TDC® coating, the service life of workpieces is significantly extended, leading to reduced maintenance and replacement costs. Re-coating worn components is often a more cost-effective and sustainable alternative to part replacement, as valuable resources can be saved.
Partial coating
By selectively covering areas, partial coating can be achieved, wherein only specific areas of the workpiece are coated while others remain uncoated. This is particularly useful when certain areas of the workpiece require lower friction or when contact elements need to be left uncoated.