Thermal fatigue from repeated heating and cooling causes surface expansion and contraction, forming heat-check cracks on mold corners and edges. These cracks deepen over time, leading to soldering, corrosion, and early mold failure, which reduces tool life, part quality, and production uptime.
| Application / Part | Recommended Coating | Key Benefit |
| Cutting Tools | AlCrN | Exceptional heat and wear resistance for dry or high-speed cutting up to 45 HRC. |
| Forming / Punching Tools | AlCrN | High edge durability and excellent adhesion under heavy forming and trimming loads. |
| Die-Casting Inserts | AlCrN + Plasma Nitriding | Prevents soldering, erosion, and thermal-fatigue cracking; extends die life. |
| Plastic Injection Molds | TiN | Smooth release and low friction; reduces galling and maintains consistent surface finish. |
| High-Gloss Molds | TiN | Maintains mirror-surface gloss with easy polishability and long-term finish stability. |
| Decorative Tooling | TiN | Gold appearance with strong wear protection for visible or aesthetic components. |
AlCrN and TiN coatings deliver reliable, high-performance protection across cutting tools, forming dies, die-casting inserts, and plastic injection molds.
Engineered for superior wear resistance, low friction, and extended tool life, these coatings help manufacturers reduce downtime and maintain consistent production quality.
From high-speed machining to mirror-finish molding, our advanced surface coatings enhance durability, resist heat-checking, and improve finished part performance across diverse industrial applications.
Do you have any question and want to know more about our services? We will be glad to support you.
What is the difference between TiN and AlCrN coatings?
TiN (Titanium Nitride) provides excellent wear resistance and lubricity for general machining, forming, and molding. AlCrN (Aluminum Chromium Nitride) offers higher hot hardness and oxidation resistance, ideal for high-speed or dry cutting, trimming, and die-casting applications.
AlCrN (Aluminum Chromium Nitride) offers higher hot hardness and oxidation resistance, ideal for high-speed or dry cutting, trimming, and die-casting applications.
How do TiN and AlCrN coatings extend tool life?
These PVD hard coatings form dense, protective layers that reduce friction, prevent adhesion, and minimize edge rounding. By resisting heat, corrosion, and abrasion, coated tools last 2–3 times longer and maintain sharper cutting geometry with better part quality.
Which coating is best for die-casting or thermal-fatigue conditions?
For aluminum die-casting inserts and molds exposed to heat-checking, AlCrN with plasma nitriding is recommended. It provides superior thermal-fatigue resistance, prevents soldering, and extends mold life.
Can TiN coatings be used for high-gloss plastic molds?
Yes. TiN coatings deliver a smooth, low-friction surface that preserves mirror finishes and ensures easy part release. They reduce polishing frequency, improve gloss retention, and prevent scratches in plastic injection molds.
Why choose NTI Nanofilm for PVD hard coatings?
NTI Nanofilm uses high-density FCVA and PVD platforms for ultra-smooth, low-droplet coatings with excellent adhesion. Every process, masking, cleaning, coating, and inspection, is performed in-house, ensuring consistent quality, short turnaround, and coatings engineered for specific applications.
