Coatings!

2

2Sharp

Joined
Oct 6, 1998
Messages
1,848
Ok, the other (large commander) thread where there was some discussion concerning coatings got me thinking.

The coating used by EKI is that Walter Birdsongs Black-T? (or what it's called)
I like coatings on my knife, mostly for the added corossive protectant, and i also think it looks cool :)
What i don't like is that it's not very durable, if i'm right it's supposed to still protect the blade even though the actual color is gone. (as it's working on a molecular level)

But as i consider EKI to make high quality tools i'd like to see another coating that lasts longer.

The coating used by Microtech seems very though, haven't managed to scrath my L-UDT yet, but the coating on my P-SARK just vaporised.

So, what are your thoughts concerning coatings?

Of course, real satin finishes is great, but i want my blades coated, makes me feel so much more highspeed, low drag :)
 
2Sharp,
There are several coatings out there. None are
a panacea. I have had some sucess w/ TiAlNi.
That is Titanium Aluminum Nitride. It is very hard, (2600-2900 VIckers Scale) Durable but somewhat expensive. It typically has a Gray Matt finish.
There is Titanium Carbo Nitride (TiCN) that is not as hard as Aluminum Nitride but is Black in color. I believe MT uses Boron Nitride (BoN) which thus far appears to be an excellent finish. My Ultratech and Exodus are coated w/ them and appear to be durable and an excellent alternative. All of these finishes thus far do not pose Annealing problems w/ the steels provided it is a heat stable material to begin w/, hardening techniques and specifications that I have seen so far.

This process is called "Surface Engineeering".
It is generally part of a broad spectrum of technology called PVD (Phyisical Vapor Deposition). The coatings are are thin films and thin film structures (know as "superlattices") are deposited mostly by large cathodic arc sources.

An example of performance potentiality is: TiAlN 90+ Rockwell Hardeness Scale and 2600-2900 Vickers Scale. Additonal benefits are enhanced and improved corrision performance.

These coatings were initally developed for the cutting tool industry.
The primary purpose were to extend the service life of these cutting tools. Additional applications came about as an afterthought which is often the case.

Other additional attributes are coatings from metallurgical bond to base material will not flake, chip or peel - even if the substrate is bent. Be advised however, the prepping process is of paramount importance and ANY impurities or deviations Will interfere w/ proper adhesion. I have a number of Firearms and other knives w/ these finishes and am more than satisfied. I have four 1911 style pistols that have TiAlN on them. One has more than 30,000 rounds through it w/ only Barrel changes and no problems at all.

There may be other coatings out there and if someone has had positive experiences "empty your cup".


Hope that helps...
 
There are three basic way to deposit a Physical Vapor Deposition
or PVD coating.Cathodic Arc,Electron Beam,Hollow Cathode and Sputtering.These coatings are applied from 240 Degrees F to 900 Degrees F. Most coatings are not Multi-Layer but of single layer and are not Super Lattices. Some coatings will be deposited in multi-layers such as Pure Titanium and then Titanium Nitride this is to have a soft layer at the substrate and a very hard coating on top.

A Super Lattice Coating will have as many Thirty Layers of Coatings
this helps with both Hardness and seals of all the small pin holes in the flim for added corosion.Not to many PVD coatings being ran today are Super Lattice but are either Single or Multi-Layered flims.

Here is a list of some PVD Coatings

Titanium Nitride - GOLD COLOR
Titanium Carbonitride - GRAY TO BLACK
Titanium Aluminum Nitride - GRAY TO DARK GRAY
Chromium Nitride - SILVER TO LIGHT GRAY
Chromium Carbonitride- DARK GRAY TO BLACK
Boron Carbide B4c - DARK GRAY
Diamond Like Coating DLC- CLEAR TO BLACK

BODYCOTE provides coatings for the following Knife Company
MICROTECH
BENCHMADE
MOD
KERSHAW
GERBER
SOG
WILLIAM HENRY
SWISS-TECH
BEAR MGC
TI KNIVES

We have over 250 plants worldwide, you can check out our website at www.bodycote.com

Darrell Lewis
Dlewis@bodycote-na.com

YOU MAKE IT FIRST-WE MAKE IT LAST
 
Tamishigiri

The nice thing about Boron Carbide B4C we deposit it at
240 F and the hadrness is RC 94/96 It allows us to coat
any grade of steel with out lowering the hardness.

Darrell
 
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