Custom PVD Coated Stainless Steel Sheet PVD Vacuum Coating
PVD coated stainless steel sheet starts with standard stainless steel (grades 201, 304, or 316) and receives a thin, ultra-durable ceramic coating through the Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process.
Unlike paint or laminate, PVD coating is applied at the molecular level inside a vacuum chamber. The coating material — typically titanium nitride (TiN), chromium nitride (CrN), or zirconium nitride (ZrN) — is vaporized and bonded to the stainless steel surface.
The result is a material that combines the corrosion resistance and strength of stainless steel with a brilliant, permanent color finish that will not peel, flake, or easily scratch.
Key distinction: This is not painted steel. The coating is ceramic-hard and chemically bonded to the surface.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Extremely hard surface | 2000 – 3000 HV — 10-15x harder than stainless steel |
| Permanent color bond | Will not peel, flake, or scratch off |
| Wide color range | Gold, rose gold, bronze, black, blue, green, custom |
| Full stainless performance | Retains corrosion resistance of base grade |
| UV resistant | No fading under indoor or outdoor exposure |
| Fingerprint resistant option | Clear topcoat available for high-touch areas |
| Food safe | Suitable for food contact (304/316 base) |
| Environmentally friendly | No hazardous chemicals or waste byproducts |
| Method | Durability | Hardness | Color Range | Peeling Risk | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PVD Coating | Excellent (10-20+ years) | Very high (2000-3000 HV) | Wide | No | High | Premium architectural, high-traffic |
| Electrochemical | Good (5-10 years) | Same as steel | Limited (bronze, blue, gold) | No | Medium | Interior decorative |
| Paint | Poor (2-5 years) | Low | Very wide | Yes | Low | Short-term, budget |
| Vinyl Laminate | Poor (1-3 years) | Low | Very wide | Yes | Low | Temporary displays |
| Color Name | Coating Material | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Titanium Gold | TiN (Titanium Nitride) | Elevator doors, hotel lobbies, luxury retail |
| Rose Gold | TiN + alloying | Consumer electronics, jewelry displays |
| Champagne Gold | TiN (thin layer) | Residential kitchens, bathroom fixtures |
| Bronze | TiCN (Titanium Carbonitride) | Office buildings, residential trim |
| Dark Bronze | TiCN (thicker layer) | High-end residential, architectural accents |
| Black | TiAlN or CrN | Modern appliances, commercial kitchens |
| Sapphire Blue | TiN + interference | Art installations, decorative panels |
| Emerald Green | TiN + interference | Hospitality, specialty projects |
| Violet / Purple | TiN + interference | Entertainment venues, accent pieces |
| Brass / Copper | TiN alloy | Period restoration, classic designs |
Custom color matching available (minimum order quantity applies, typically 4-6 weeks lead time).
| Base Grade | UNS | Corrosion Resistance | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | S20100 | Good (interior only) | Low | Budget interior, dry environments |
| 304 / 304L | S30400 / S30403 | Excellent (general use) | Medium | Most interior and exterior applications |
| 316 / 316L | S31600 / S31603 | Superior (marine/chemical) | High | Coastal, outdoor, swimming pools, chemical exposure |
Selection guide:
- Interior, dry → 201 or 304
- Interior, humid (kitchens, bathrooms) → 304
- Exterior, any outdoor → 316
- Coastal/marine → 316L
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Product name | PVD Coated Stainless Steel Sheet |
| Coating process | Physical Vapor Deposition (sputtering or arc evaporation) |
| Coating materials | TiN, CrN, ZrN, TiCN, TiAlN |
| Base material standards | ASTM A240, JIS G4304, GB/T 3280, EN 10088 |
| Base grades available | 201, 304, 304L, 316, 316L |
| Thickness range | 0.3 mm – 3.0 mm (standard); up to 6.0 mm (custom) |
| Thickness tolerance | ±0.05 mm (under 1.0 mm); ±0.08 mm (1.0-3.0 mm) |
| Finish | Code | Appearance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No.4 Brushed | Brushed | Fine satin lines, soft reflection, hides minor scratches | Most architectural applications |
| No.8 Mirror | Mirror | Highly reflective, bright, dramatic | Decorative panels, luxury retail |
| Hairline | HL | Very fine uniform lines, elegant | Appliances, consumer goods |
| Embossed | Embossed | Patterned surface (leather, wood grain, linen) | Wall cladding, elevator interiors |
| Bead Blasted | Bead Blast | Matte, non-reflective, uniform texture | Industrial design, signage |
1. Architecture & Building
Elevator doors and interior panels, lobby columns, wall cladding, ceiling panels, entrance doors, handrails.
2. Hospitality & Retail
Hotel lobbies, restaurant bar fronts, store display fixtures, checkout counters, signage, luxury showrooms.
3. Residential & Kitchen
Kitchen backsplashes, range hoods, countertop wraps, furniture trim, decorative wall panels, bathroom fixtures.
4. Consumer Products & Appliances
Refrigerator panels, dishwasher exteriors, range hoods, electronics housings, luxury packaging.
5. Industrial & Specialty
Cleanroom panels, medical equipment housings, food processing equipment (304/316 base only).
Q: What does PVD stand for?
A: Physical Vapor Deposition. It is a vacuum coating process that deposits a thin, hard ceramic layer onto the stainless steel surface.
Q: Is PVD coated stainless steel the same as painted stainless steel?
A: No. Paint sits on top of the surface and can peel or scratch off. PVD coating is bonded at the molecular level and is much harder and more durable.
Q: Will the PVD coating wear off?
A: Under normal use, no. PVD coating hardness is 2000-3000 HV, compared to ~200 HV for stainless steel. Heavy abrasion (dragging metal objects across the surface) can scratch through.
Q: Can PVD Coated Stainless Steel Sheet be used outdoors?
A: Yes, if the base material is 304 or 316. The PVD coating itself is UV-resistant. The base grade determines corrosion resistance — use 316 for coastal or high-humidity outdoor applications.
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