by Tempered coatings are advanced protective surface treatments applied to a wide range of materials and components for enhancing their mechanical and corrosion resistance properties. With technological advancements, tempered coatings have evolved significantly over the years and are now being used across many industries like automotive, aviation, oil & gas, marine, medical devices and more.
Tempered coatings refer to durable and long-lasting surface modification techniques that thermally or chemically alter the microstructure of the substrate material’s surface. The tempering process produces a harder and stronger surface without affecting the material properties inside. Some common tempering techniques used in coating applications include flame spraying, plasma spraying, physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition and diffusion treatments.
The tempering process imparts compressive residual stresses in the coating which helps it withstand external loads, wear and resistance to crack propagation. It increases the hardness, reduces permeability and improves corrosion and abrasion resistance of the coated substrate. Tempered coatings can significantly enhance the lifetime of components operating in demanding conditions like high heat, friction and corrosive environments.
Types of Tempered Coatings
There are different types of Tempered Coatings used for various applications:
Thermally Sprayed Coatings: Thermal spray techniques like plasma spraying and flame spraying are used to create metal, ceramic or composite coatings. Materials are melted and accelerated in the form of fine particles towards the substrate where they flatten and bond.
Chemical/Physical Vapor Deposition Coatings: PVD and CVD techniques involve depositing thin films of metals, alloys and ceramics in a vacuum. The coating and substrate atoms react or decompose from vapor phase.
Ceramic & Polymer Coatings: Advanced ceramic materials like titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) and chromium nitride (CrN) provide high hardness, heat resistance and low friction when applied as coatings. Tempered epoxy and polyurethane coatings enhances parts in automotive and marine applications.
Tempered Steel Coatings: Steel auto parts, tools and equipment are commonly case hardened by carburizing or nitriding process to increase hardness of surfaces.
Applications of Tempered Coatings
Cutting Tools – Coatings like TiAlN, AlCrN and diamond-like carbon (DLC) applied on cutting tools such as end mills, drills and taps increases lifetime, heat resistance and wear properties.
Die & Mold Components – Processes like nitriding and aluminum diffusion hardening of dies and injection molds provide high wear resistance for extended operational life.
Automotive Parts – Engine components, brakes, transmission gears benefit from harder surfaces with thermally sprayed aluminum and bonded ceramic coatings for corrosion and friction reduction.
Industrial Equipment – Heat exchangers, valves and piping operating in harsh oil & gas environments receive plasma sprayed or HVOF coatings of chromium carbide, nickel aluminum for protection.
Biomedical Implants – Titanium and cobalt alloys used in hip and knee implants undergo ion implantation and PVD coatings of calcium phosphate for better biocompatibility.
Advantages of Tempered Coatings
Some key advantages that tempered surface coatings provide include:
– Increased hardness, strength and resistance to wear, abrasion and plastic deformation
– Lower operating temperatures and friction due to reduced contact area
– Protection against corrosion, oxidation and chemicals
– Enhanced fatigue strength and resistance to cracking
– Longer useful life and reduced maintenance of components
– Ability to restore worn or damaged surfaces for repaired parts
– Suitable for a wide range of material substrates
Tempered coatings have become indispensable for functional and protective applications across many industries. Continued R&D is further improving coating properties, developing new materials and optimizing deposition techniques. With their ability to significantly enhance the performance and durability of components, tempered coatings will continue to play a vital role in reducing costs, downtime and improving productivity of modern engineering systems.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
