SilcoTekĀ® offers custom silicon CVD coatings for analytical, semiconductor, energy, and other applications. But how custom are CVD coatings? Let's find out.
If you look on our website you'll see a list of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) coatings offered for various applications they include:
So it looks like we offer 7 coatings is that really custom? Well that's not the whole story. In fact we offer over 30 coating variants and the list keeps growing. In this blog post we'll discuss customization of coatings for your application.
In this blog post you will learn:
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To enhance the performance of the coating the very top layer of the silicon coating or the body of the coating can be changed by bonding select compounds to the silicon, as seen below.
Another customization option may involve bonding a primer layer to the substrate to act as a barrier between the silicon coating and the substrate. The purpose of the primer is to improve overall material compatibility and to prevent catalytic action between the coating and substrate.
The coating method also plays a part in an effective coating process. We use chemical vapor deposition (CVD) because we're able to coat all areas of a part, including blind holes tubing or shadowed areas. Contrast CVD with physical vapor deposition (PVD) where only line of site areas are coated.
The idea of offering variants to our basic coating selection developed over a period of 10 years. As we developed better and better coatings, customers found more challenging applications. Our R&D team began to develop a virtuous cycle where coating materials, surface modification options, and primer layer options allowed us to mix and match coating options to meet customer requirements. How does that process work? Let's discuss.
A custom coating solution starts with the customer and their performance needs. We encourage customers to contact SilcoTek Technical Service with application and performance requirements. We're often able to suggest one of our standard coatings and successfully meet the coating requirements. If we feel that a standard coating won't meet the need, we'll recommend one of the many custom options. Factors that can result in a customized coating include:
How will a potential buyer know if they need to customize a part? That's where we come in. After an initial consultation, the customer may request a coating to test, or they may give us a specification. Our Technical Service Team will suggest a coating for evaluation. As stated previously usually one of our standard coatings will meet the need.
A Customer may test the standard coating with some success but they may need better performance. Alternatively, our Technical Service Team may customize a coating to fit material or part form factor needs as part of our normal production evaluation process.
If the coating performance falls short, SilcoTekĀ® R&D consults with the customer and goes to work. The team will modify the coating formulation or process as needed. SilcoTek and the customer will evaluate the revised coating to meet the desired specification.
SilcoTek offers many more coating options than those listed on our website, our Technology Team is often able to customize a cost effective coating solution that meets your needs. If your current material or coating is not performing to your specification, let us know. We'll work with you to find a solution.
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