Home
Coatings
Comparison chart

Coating comparison chart

Figures are published typical ranges for each material system. The certified value for a given substrate and geometry comes from the SurfTech data sheet issued with the quote.

What that thickness does to a tolerance

SurfTech coating codes with chemistry, appearance, hardness, friction, service temperature and film thickness
Code	Chemistry	Appearance	Hardness	Friction, dry on steel	Max service	Thickness
3012	CrN	Dull silver	1,750 to 2,100 HV	0.45 to 0.55 dry against steel	1,300 °F / 700 °C	1 to 4 µm
4000	B4C	Gray / black	3,000 to 3,700 HV	0.10 to 0.20 dry against steel	900 °F / 480 °C in air	1 to 3 µm
4253	B4C / MoS2	Gray / silver	2,500 to 3,200 HV in the carbide phase	0.05 to 0.12 dry against steel	660 °F / 350 °C in air	1 to 3 µm
5000	MoS2	Gray / silver	Lubricating film, measured by wear life rather than hardness	0.03 to 0.10 dry against steel	660 °F / 350 °C in air	0.5 to 2 µm
6020	TiN	Gold	2,300 to 2,400 HV	0.4 to 0.5 dry against steel	1,100 °F / 590 °C	1 to 4 µm
PTFE	PTFE	Matte, color options available	Soft polymer film	0.04 to 0.10	500 °F / 260 °C continuous	12 to 40 µm
3010	Chromium based	On request	On request	On request	On request	On request
4200	Boron carbide based	On request	On request	On request	On request	On request
4656	Boron carbide based	On request	On request	On request	On request	On request
6012	Titanium based	On request	On request	On request	On request	On request
6120	Titanium based	On request	On request	On request	On request	On request
6212	Titanium based	On request	On request	On request	On request	On request
9200	Specialty multi-layer	On request	On request	On request	On request	On request

Every PVD code in the table is deposited below 200 °F. PTFE is spray applied and cured rather than deposited, and does not run under that ceiling.

Choosing a coating by wear mechanism

Machined aluminum castings arranged on a white surface — Thirteen codes, one routing

Abrasive wear

Hard particles cutting the surface. Hardness is the lever, so the boron carbide films at 3,000 HV and above do the work. 4000 is the reference.

Galling and pickup

The workpiece welding itself to the tool. Friction is the lever, so a film with a lubricating phase does more than a harder one. 4253 and 5000.

Chipping and impact

A hard film that cannot flex will spall off a forming tool. Ductility is the lever. 3012 gives up hardness to gain it.

Heat and general duty

Wide operating range with a long service record, and a gold finish that makes wear visible from across the shop. 6020.

Request a quote

Tell us the substrate, the duty and the way the part fails now. SurfTech comes back with the code, the thickness and the masking.

Request a quote Talk to an engineer