ADVANCED CONCEPTS OF PVD HARD COATINGS

Improved knowledge of the ways in which the structures, properties and behaviour of coated materials are interrelated, as well as technical advances in the production of specific layers, constitute a basis on which new lines are developed, especially on coatings applied by the so-called PVD methods. Topical examples of protective coating concepts, often with greatly improved characteristics, are mixed-phase layers, gradient layers, multilayers, new metastable coating materials, and multiphase layers. Their preparation, structures and properties are discussed.