During the multi-arc coating process, a high-energy electric arc is generated between the cathode target and the anode. Chromium atoms are rapidly ionized and deposited onto the substrate surface, forming dense and durable chromium-based thin films.

Due to their excellent properties, chromium coatings are widely used for:

High hardness surface protection

Wear-resistant coatings

Corrosion-resistant layers

Decorative metallic finishes

Functional thin-film applications

Manufacturing Process

Chromium cathode targets are manufactured using advanced powder metallurgy technology and Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) processes.

The HIP process provides:

High material density

Uniform grain structure

Low internal defects

Stable arc discharge performance

High target utilization rate

Long service life

Available Target Shapes

Customized designs are available according to different coating equipment requirements.

Common shapes include:

Rectangular targets

Arc-shaped targets

Annular targets

Tubular targets

Large aspect ratio tube targets

Product Specifications

Material & Purity

Parameter	Specification
Material	Pure Chromium (Cr) / Nickel-Chromium Alloy (NiCr)
Purity	99.9% (3N) – 99.99% (4N)
Manufacturing Process	HIP Powder Metallurgy

Technical Standards

Manufactured according to international standards:

ASTM

DIN

JIS

ASME

Physical Properties

Property	Value
Purity	99.9% – 99.99%
Density	≥7.12 g/cm³
Grain Size	<100 μm
Metallic Impurities	<5000 ppm
Thermal Conductivity	100–600 W·m/K
Thermal Expansion Coefficient	8 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Key Features

High Purity Chromium Material

High-purity chromium ensures:

Stable chemical composition

Reduced coating contamination

Consistent film quality

Fine Grain Structure

Uniform microstructure provides:

Stable arc evaporation

Reduced particle generation

Improved target utilization

Excellent Film Adhesion

Chromium coatings produced from high-quality targets provide:

Strong bonding strength

Uniform coating thickness

Improved surface performance

High Wear & Corrosion Resistance

Chromium thin films offer:

High hardness

Excellent abrasion resistance

Strong oxidation resistance

Long component lifetime

Applications

Automotive Industry

Chromium PVD coatings are widely used for wear protection of:

Piston rings

Bearings

Valve stems

Engine components

Benefits:

Reduced friction

Improved wear resistance

Extended service life

Aerospace Industry

Used for protective coatings on:

High-performance mechanical components

Precision aerospace parts

Engine-related components

Advantages:

High-temperature stability

Surface protection

Improved durability

Decorative Coatings

Chromium coatings provide a bright metallic appearance for:

Hardware products

Consumer electronics

Luxury surface finishing

Automotive decorative parts

Features:

Attractive appearance

Scratch resistance

Corrosion protection

Tooling & Mechanical Components

Applications:

Cutting tools

Dies and molds

Mechanical parts

Functions:

Anti-wear protection

Surface hardness improvement

Corrosion resistance enhancement

Optical & Electronic Industry

Used for:

Functional thin-film deposition

Optical component coating

Electronic device surface layers

PVD Deposition Applications

Chromium cathode targets are compatible with:

Magnetron Sputtering Systems

Used for:

Functional coatings

Decorative films

Conductive layers

Multi-Arc Ion Plating Systems

Used for:

Hard coatings

Wear-resistant films

Metallic decorative coatings

Different chromium-based target compositions can provide different coating characteristics:

Coating Function	Performance
Hard coating	Improved hardness and wear resistance
Anti-corrosion coating	Enhanced chemical stability
Decorative coating	Metallic appearance and durability
Functional coating	Optical and electronic properties

Application Example – Automotive Components

Coating Parameters

Item	Specification
Target Material	High Purity Chromium
Target Size	Ø100 mm × 3 mm thickness
Deposition Atmosphere	Argon
Deposition Rate	0.2–0.4 μm/min
Coating Thickness	3–5 μm

Coating Performance

Chromium PVD coatings provide:

Strong coating adhesion
Improved wear resistance
Enhanced corrosion resistance
Extended component service life

Advantages Compared With Traditional Chromium Plating

PVD Chromium Coating	Traditional Chromium Plating
Environmentally friendly process	Uses chemical plating solutions
Excellent coating adhesion	Possible interface defects
Uniform thin film	Thickness control limitations
High hardness	Lower surface performance
Suitable for precision parts	Limited application range

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