Surface Engineering : A Smart choice of an Engineer

Dr. Umesh R. Mhatre, Surface Modification Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Introduction
Materials have always played a significant role in the human development. In the current state of our engineering industry, it is very well understood that, not only materials but the “smart materials” hold key to our future development. Therefore material engineers have always been in the puzzle of innovation, modifying materials that are used in a wide range of products, from engineering tools to engineered components. But modifying bulk metallurgy of the materials is not enough to meet the challenges of future requirements. Contemporary challenges of modern materials industry can only be addressed by a combination of the competence of manufacturing the bulk material and tailoring surface properties of these materials to perform against the different conditions they are subjected to. Therefore, it is very essential to understand a tool or a component as a system, defining its surface requirements and bulk requirements for the best possible performance. In this pursuit, surface engineering has emerged a discrete branch of materials engineering and has major economic importance.

Surface Modification
In general term, Surface engineering incorporates many techniques by which a surface modification can be accomplished. In recent years, a number of these techniques were developed to meet the demand of the industry. These techniques include both, modification “on” the surface as well as “under” the surface. But continuoes developments in this sector made it difficult to choose a specific technique that can resolve the given surface engineering problem. Therefore, for successful implementation of surface engineering solution, it is very essential to adopt a methodical approach to achieve optimal surface properties for specific application. This definitely would lead to supply added value and profits.

PVD / CVD Coatings
Physical vapor deposition (PVD) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) techniques are the most widely used surface modification techniques by the engineering industry. Particularly a strong impact of these technologies can be very clearly seen in automotive, aerospace, biomedical, electrical and electronic industries. These techniques have capability to deposit very hard wear resistant and corrosion resistant coatings by a combination of metals or alloys with reactive gases in ultra-high vacuum environment. To a great extent, these techniques offer flexibility to tailor the surface properties as per the need. Cutting and machining tools were among the first to be coated with PVD technology. Titanium Nitride (TiN) was the best suited coating that has proven the improved performance of coated cutting and machining tools during the decade. But as the cutting and machining technologies kept on improving upon the high speed and high productivity processing, PVD coating technology has also kept on supporting them with innovative coating solutions that can further improve the performance of modern tools and components. Today, for different mechanical operations we can have a separate and dedicated PVD coating solutions. Engineering industry has already started enjoying the benefits of these coating to achieve higher productivity and good quality at optimum tool cost. It is very clearly proved that surface engineering by PVD technique is a rapidly developing technology with considerable scientific and commercial potential. Therefore it is worth to get involved with this technology and enjoy the benefits. Find a technology partner you can trust and work with them to give you the result you need now and for the future.

For more information
Surface Modification Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Dr. Umesh R. Mhatre – Managing Director
106, Ajahara Industrial Estate, Near Sharp Industries, Waliv Phata, Vasai (E)
Dist. Thane, Pin. 401208, Cell.: +91 9819781842