Titanium Nitride (TiN) vs Titanium Carbonitride (TiCN): Hardness and Friction
Engineering Overview: Technical comparison of Titanium Nitride (Gold) and Titanium Carbonitride (Grey) PVD thin films, evaluating hardness, friction, and keyway wear.
Technical & Engineering Specifications
| Micro-Hardness | 2400 HV (TiN) vs 3000 HV (TiCN) |
|---|---|
| Thin Film Types | Titanium Nitride (TiN) vs Titanium Carbonitride (TiCN) |
| Color Appearance | Rich Yellow Gold (TiN) vs Charcoal Gunmetal (TiCN) |
| Deposition Method | Cathodic Arc Vacuum Evaporation |
| Friction Coefficient | 0.40 (TiN) vs 0.20 (TiCN) |
PVD Ceramic Thin-Film Comparison
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) utilizes reactive gas stoichiometry to tailor hardness and friction:
- Titanium Nitride (TiN - Gold): Hardness of 2200 to 2400 HV, friction coefficient 0.40. The gold standard for decorative luxury architectural hardware.
- Titanium Carbonitride (TiCN - Gunmetal/Grey): Adding carbon creates an interstitial carbide lattice, increasing hardness to 2800 to 3200 HV while lowering friction (0.20), providing superior wear resistance against repeated nickel-silver key insertion.
Frequently Asked Engineering & Selection Questions
Q1: Which PVD coating provides lower friction: TiN or TiCN?
TiCN (Titanium Carbonitride) provides lower friction (0.20 vs 0.40) and higher hardness (3000 HV) due to carbon lattice bonding.