MATERIALS

Performance Finishing Functional Coatings for Durability & System Performance

Functional coatings and engineered surface treatments that add measurable system value: corrosion protection, thermal control, EMI/RFI shielding, hydrophobicity, anti‑fingerprint, anti‑microbial action, wear reduction, and low‑friction surfaces. We specify, apply, and validate coatings for demanding environments and regulated industries.

System‑level finishes selected for measured performance, not just appearance
Matched application method and substrate: PVD, thermal spray, electro/ electroless plating, powder/wet coatings, plasma treatments
Tested & qualified per industry standards with lifecycle and recoat strategies

What Is Performance Finishing?

Performance finishing covers coatings that deliver validated functional benefits: quantitative metrics (e.g., emissivity, surface resistivity, contact angle, Taber cycles to failure). Unlike decorative finishes, these are specified by target properties and qualified through testing and life‑cycle validation.

Key Coating Families & Typical Uses

Corrosion‑Resistant Systems

E‑coat + powder topcoat, electroless nickel, duplex systems (zinc + e‑coat), non‑sacrificial passivation to meet marine/automotive exposure.

Thermal Control Coatings

High emissivity black paints, thermal sprays (ceramic), and thermally conductive thin films to manage radiation/convection paths for heat sinks & enclosures.

EMI / Conductive Coatings

Conductive paints, electroless metallization, plated housings and conductive elastomer gaskets for shielding & grounding at system level.

Anti‑Fingerprint / Oleophobic

Hydrophobic/oleophobic topcoats for consumer touch surfaces to reduce smudging and improve perceived quality (measured by contact angle & wipe resistance).

Anti‑Microbial & Hygiene

Durable antimicrobial coatings for healthcare and food contact surfaces; validated per ISO/ASTM efficacy tests and regulatory constraints.

Wear & Low‑Friction Coatings

DLC, TiN, PTFE dry films and ceramic thermal spray for sliding, bearing surfaces and high wear environments to reduce coefficient of friction and extend life.

Application Methods & When To Use Them

PVD / CVD / DLC

Thin, dense hard coatings (DLC, TiN) for wear resistance and low friction — excellent for bearings, sliding surfaces and optic hardness. Typically line‑of‑sight and best for smaller components or fixtures.

Thermal Spray & Plasma Spray

Thicker ceramic or metal coatings for thermal barriers or heavy wear. Good for heat‑resistant surfaces and large structures; requires post‑machining for tight tolerances.

Electroless / Electro Plating

Uniform metallic layers (Ni, Cu, Ag) for conductivity, corrosion resistance and decorative finish. Electroless nickel provides even coverage for complex geometries.

Spray / Dip / E‑Coat & Powder

Liquid coatings for corrosion protection and topcoat aesthetics. E‑coat provides exceptional coverage for complex parts; powder coat gives robust finish for exteriors.

Liquid & Sol‑Gel Hydrophobic / Oleophobic Treatments

Thin, often nanostructured topcoats applied by spray or dip to increase contact angle and reduce fingerprinting; durability varies by chemistry and cure method.

Conductive Inks & Printed Coatings

Screen/inkjet printed conductive traces or shields for lightweight EMI solutions on plastics or flexible substrates.

Substrate Compatibility & Pre‑Treatment

Performance coatings require appropriate substrate prep: conversion coats for aluminum, phosphate/electrocleaning for steels, plasma/etch for plastics, or conductive seed layers for plating plastics. Adhesion, thermal expansion and galvanic compatibility must be validated.

Performance Metrics, Testing & Qualification

We validate functional coatings with quantitative tests tied to requirements. Typical acceptance criteria are specified up front and included in FAI/PPAP packages for production release.

Property	Test / Standard	Typical Metric
Corrosion resistance	Salt spray ASTM B117, cyclic corrosion	Hours to substrate attack / blistering
Wear resistance	Taber abrasion ASTM D4060, reciprocating wear	Cycles to coating failure / mg loss
Adhesion	Cross‑cut/tape ASTM D3359, pull‑off ASTM D4541	Rating or minimum peel strength
Hydrophobicity	Contact angle measurement	Water contact angle ° (e.g., >100°)
Surface resistivity / EMI	Surface resistivity ASTM D257, shielding attenuation	Surface Ω/sq; dB attenuation at freq.
Antimicrobial efficacy	ISO 22196 / ASTM E2180	Log reduction vs control

Design for Performance Finishing (DFP)

Define functional targets (metric + acceptance criteria) up front — e.g., contact angle, Taber cycles, hours salt spray
Specify masking zones (threads, sealing faces) and include assembly/fit allowances for coating thickness
Group parts by finish to minimize rework and batch variability — avoid mixing incompatible chemistries in one line
Consider reworkability and recoating strategies for service & repair

Allowance guidance

Account for coating thickness in tolerances: thin PVD/DLC (µm scale) vs powder/e‑coat (tens to hundreds µm). Specify post‑finish critical datums where necessary.

Environmental, Health & Regulatory Considerations

Many high‑performance chemistries and plating processes involve regulated substances and waste streams. We manage RoHS/REACH compliance, hazardous materials handling, and environmental controls for plating and solvent‑based coatings. Choose greener chemistries where possible and document compliance for each production lot.

Recommendations

Early specification of restricted substances and finish approvals
Plan waste treatment for electroplating & solvent processes
Consider life‑cycle costs: recoat intervals, serviceability and environmental disposal

Sourcing, Lead Times & Production Scaling

Specialty coatings may have longer lead times, batch constraints and MOQ. Pilot runs and sample panels are recommended to lock process windows. We support qualification batches, color/finish samples and production ramp plans to ensure reproducibility. Typical lead time examples: PVD/DLC: 1–4 weeks (depending on load & batch); thermal spray: 1–3 weeks; electroless nickel plating: 2–6 weeks including pre‑treat; functional topcoats (hydrophobic/anti‑fingerprint): 1–4 weeks for qualification.

Representative Projects

Specify a Performance Finish

Upload your part CAD, operating environment, and the measurable performance goals (e.g., contact angle, emissivity, dB shielding target, Taber cycles). We’ll propose candidate systems, application method, test plan and estimated lead times — typically within 24 business hours.

Performance Finishing Functional Coatings for Durability & System Performance

What Is Performance Finishing?