What
are Armoloy TDC and XADC-Armoloy® coatings?
Armoloy TDC
(thin dense chrome) is a proprietary, very hard (78Rc),
very dense chromium.
XADC-Armoloy® (98
Rc) uses the Armoloy® TDC
solution as its base, but is infused with a synthetic diamond
particulate, which is responsible for the extreme hardness
quotient.
Both coatings,
at a microscopic level, provide a nodular (as opposed to flat)
finish
How thick
are the coatings?
Standard
deposit thickness is .0001/.0003" per surface. However,
in molding, the .000050/.0002" range is more realistic,
given the tight tolerances that are the industry standard.
Unlike traditional
hard chrome, a thinner deposit of Armoloy® TDC
or XADC-Armoloy® does not inhibit the coatings' efficacy,
and may prevent excessive edge build
How are
the coatings applied?
general principles
of electroplating, but employing proprietary chemistry and
proprietary fixturing methods/materials. The
process is known as "cool": parts will see temperatures
no higher than 160F. Lower temperatures mean no risk of heat-induced
damage (annealing, distortion, warping).
Due to proprietary
prep procedures, the coatings bond mechanically and absolutely
to the surface of the substrate.
Why coat?
The Armoloy
coatings serve three main purposes:
- Wear/abrasion
resistance (due to surface hardness).
- Lubricity/release/friction
reduction (due to nodular finish).
- Corrosion
resistance (on tool steel, comparable to 440C stainless steel;
chromium is a natural corrosion resistant).
What types
of materials can be coated?
Nearly all
ferrous and non-ferrous metals can be coated, including common
molding steels such as H-13, S-7, P-20, 420SS, A-2, D-2, and
copper alloys such as Moldmax and Ampcoloy.
Titanium,
zinc, and magnesium are not recommended for Armoloy
coating
Is the
hardness of the substrate an issue?
Generally,
the harder the base metal, the more effective the Armoloy® TDC
and XADC-Armoloy® coatings. Common Rc hardness for tool
steels to be coated is 45-55 Rc.
Armoloy can
also coat gas or ion nitrided surfaces, though it is important
to indicate that this process has occurred before the coating
process begins
In the case
of copper alloys, where hardness cannot be dramatically improved,
the coatings still can provide protection against abrasive
wear, without inhibiting the copper's thermal diffusion properties.
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