The PVD Vacuum Hard Chrome coating process has been used in the automotive industries for decades. Based on the standard car wheels and rims sizes range from 13” ~24”, even larger size 27” be used for trucks.
Sputtering Chrome/Aluminum on Aluminum alloy rims is a standard application due to its environmentally friendly process and resistance to pitting or peeling off like traditional water-electroplating. The high abrasion resistance coating forms a durable film that greatly enhances the car rim’s lifetime. For these reasons and ease of use and reliability the PVD hard chrome coating is welcomed by the automotive factories.
why PVD chrome is preferred for car wheels?
Applying a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) chrome finish on car wheels offers several advantages over traditional chrome plating methods.
Durability: PVD chrome coatings are highly durable and resistant to corrosion, tarnishing, and chipping. This durability ensures that the wheels maintain their shine and appearance for a longer period compared to traditional chrome plating.
Environmental Benefits: PVD chrome is an environmentally friendly process that produces minimal waste and does not involve harmful chemicals commonly associated with traditional chrome plating processes, making it a more sustainable choice.
Uniformity: PVD chrome coatings offer excellent uniformity in thickness and color, providing a consistent and high-quality finish across all wheel surfaces.
Adhesion: PVD chrome coatings have strong adhesion properties, ensuring that the coating remains bonded to the wheel surface even under harsh conditions like heat, friction, and exposure to road debris.
Scratch Resistance: PVD chrome coatings are known for their scratch-resistant properties, helping to protect the wheels from minor abrasions and damage during everyday use.
Easy Maintenance: PVD chrome finishes are easy to clean and maintain, requiring less effort and specialized care compared to traditional chrome plating, which can be susceptible to pitting and staining.
Variety of Finishes: PVD technology allows for the creation of different finishes apart from traditional chrome, such as black chrome, gunmetal, or even custom colors, providing versatility in design options for car wheels.
Cost-Effectiveness: While PVD chrome may have a higher initial cost compared to traditional chrome plating, its long-term durability and reduced maintenance needs can make it a cost-effective choice in the long run.
Overall, PVD chrome coating on car wheels offers a combination of durability, environmental friendliness, uniformity, and ease of maintenance, making it a popular choice for automotive enthusiasts looking for a high-quality and long-lasting finish for their wheels.
With sputtering deposition system, we can generate PVD Black Chrome / PVD Bright Chrome / PVD Neo-Chrome finishing on the surface.
PVD Neo-Chrome PVD bright chrome
PVD Matte Chrome PVD Gun black chrome
PVD Chrome was originally designed for the aerospace industry and has since become a highly popular finish in the automotive industry.
Process
1. First using a powder coating primer to protect the integrity of the part.
- After the powder coated process, the part enters our PVD Chamber where a solid metal target is deposited onto the part creating a chrome finish by magnetron sputtering technique.
- The part is then coated with a high quality acrylic clear powder coat to protect the chrome finish.
PVD Chrome Coatings
Unlike traditional chrome plating, that pit and peel with normal wear and tear.
1. PVD Chrome is a highly durable process that exceeds the life of chrome plating.
2. PVD Chrome plating is a 100% environmentally green process.
3. PVD wheels are 80% lighter than chrome plated wheels which leads to increased fuel economy.
The Chrome sputtering deposition system consists of: vacuum chamber, vacuum pumps, sputtering cathode, Rack and Fixture, heating & cooling, water & gas (distribution), electrical control & operation systems etc.
1.The rotary rack is exclusively designed for car wheel’s coating, to guarantee a high uniformity of film deposition.
2. Benefits: eco-environment, easy to operate, compact foot print, low cost of owner ship, fast substrate exchange.
3. Coating targets: Chrome, Aluminum, Copper, Titanium, Stainless Steel etc.
4. Coatings: high shiny and bright colors, strong adhesion & excellent scratch protection.
Design Features
1. Powerful pump set for short cycle time and high productivity
2. Plug-in design and fabrication
3. Exclusive planar sputtering cathode for high coatings quality, fast deposition rate,high target utilization is up to 35%,
4. Max. size of wheel: 27″
5. Magnetic fluid sealing method for a stable running.
6. Full automatic coating process- ONE touch operation is available.
Layout
Royal Technology has developed 3 standard machines to satisfy different productivity’s demand:
RTSP 900, capacity 1 piece; mostly for repairing service
RTSP1415, capacity 4 pieces; for medium scale wheel manufacturing
RTSP2022, capacity 10 pieces; for large scale wheel manufacturing
There is one system is suitable for your demand, Royal Technology serves you with our strong background of R&D support, focus on details of manufacturing. We provide the turnkey coating solutions.
Time: March 2020
Location: Poland
The owner Mr. Michal says: ” it is a good coating machine, I run it once a week for 12 hours, good money, full of Dollars cash in my pocket, Zhou, thank you. ”
