Titanium Plating Process
Titanium nitride can be used to plate objects made of aluminum, steel, carbide or titanium alloys. Plating of this kind is used to strengthen and protect surfaces; usually the resultant thin coating is less than 5 micrometres thick. There are two common ways of accomplishing the titanium plating process.
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Physical Vapor Deposition
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Physical vapor deposition is one of the common methods of titanium plating. In this process, the titanium coats the surface of the metal being coated after the titanium material that makes up the coating is turned into a vapor. The titanium can be vaporized before coating with a high powered arc (cathodic arc), en electron beam, a pulsed laser or by heating until the metal evaporates.
Chemical Vapor Deposition
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Chemical vapor deposition is the other common titanium plating process; this method utilizes chemical reactions to produce gaseous molecules which adhere to the surface of another material; it is widely used for the manufacture of semiconductor devices. The basic technique involves taking precursor molecules, vaporizing them and putting them into the reactor, in which they are adsorbed onto the surface and become a thin film. There are different processes that are used to start the chemical reaction; these include aerosol-assisted, direct liquid injection, plasma-enhanced, combustion, hot wire (filament) and rapid thermal processes.
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Uses of Titanium Plating
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When it is applied, titanium plating hardens the surfaces that are to be used for either cutting or sliding to help protect them, offer resistance to corrosion and extend their life. This makes it ideal for cutting tools and drill bits, for example. Titanium is also used to coat medical implants, as it provides a non-toxic exterior; it is used on certain plumbing fixtures, the suspension forks of motorcycles and bikes and the shock shafts on remote-controlled cars. Titanium nitride is also shiny and attractive, and is used for coating costume jewelry and the trim on cars.
Variations on Titanium Plating
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In addition to regular titanium plating, there are also variations such as titanium gold plating, which plates the object with titanium nitride and then sputters 24 karat gold on top of it; sometimes an additional layer of titanium alloy is added. This is one of the most durable plating methods. Black titanium plating uses titanium oxide and has a black color with a hard finish that is designed to last.
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