Ever wondered how luxury door handles keep their perfect finish after years of use? Or how designer tapware stays gold without fading, even after thousands of scrubs? The answer lies in a space-age process called PVD coating and at Atomic PVD, we’ve perfected it.
PVD stands for Physical Vapour Deposition, a vacuum-based technique that bonds ultra-thin, ultra-hard metallic films onto surfaces. But this isn't just a fancy spray paint. It’s science in action with roots in aerospace engineering, now applied to everything from bathroom fittings to architectural facades.
Let’s unpack what makes PVD the gold standard for high-wear applications and why designers, architects, and manufacturers are obsessed with it.
🌪️ How PVD Works: A Quick Science Dive
PVD coating happens inside a high-vacuum chamber, where a solid metal (like titanium or zirconium) is vaporised using intense heat or a high-energy plasma arc. That metal vapour doesn’t just float around, it condenses onto your product like a microscopic metal mist, layer by layer, creating a coating that’s measured in microns (1 micron = 1/1000 of a millimetre).
Think of it as building armour at the atomic level. The result? A finish that’s:
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Incredibly dense
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Molecularly bonded to the surface
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Resistant to wear, corrosion, and chemicals
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Customisable in colour and texture
🛡️ Harder Than Chrome, Smarter Than Paint
Let’s talk numbers.
The hardness of a material is measured using the Vickers Hardness Test (HV). Here’s how PVD stacks up:
| Coating Type | Typical Vickers Hardness |
|---|---|
| Standard Chrome | ~800 HV |
| PVD Titanium Nitride (TiN) | ~2,000 HV |
That means some PVD coatings are more than twice as hard as traditional chrome plating. So whether you're designing a door handle in a busy hotel or a tap that gets hit with cleaning chemicals daily, PVD isn’t just surviving, it’s thriving.
🔬 Corrosion Resistance: Built for Harsh Realities
What good is a beautiful finish if it rusts?
Unlike electroplating, which can flake, or powder coating, which can chip, PVD forms a continuous, bonded surface that seals out moisture and oxygen, the two main villains behind rust and tarnish.
In salt spray tests (ASTM B117), PVD-coated components regularly outperform traditional finishes, making them ideal for coastal architecture, hospitality bathrooms, or even marine hardware.
✨ Looks That Last: Colour Meets Chemistry
Here’s the fun part: PVD isn’t just tough, it’s also drop-dead gorgeous.
Because the coating is applied in a vacuum with precise control over temperature and gas composition, we can create a spectrum of colours without dyes or paints. Instead, colour is created by altering the atomic structure, similar to how butterfly wings shimmer.
At Atomic PVD, we offer finishes in:
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Satin Brass
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Gunmetal Grey
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Rose Gold
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Matte Black
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And even custom hues tailored to your brand
These finishes won’t peel, fade, or tarnish like painted or anodised alternatives.
♻️ Sustainability Bonus: Green Coating, Clean Process
Unlike electroplating, which uses toxic chemicals like cyanide and heavy metals, PVD is a dry process that produces minimal waste. There’s no toxic runoff, no chromium sludge, just clean, efficient deposition in a sealed environment.
For architects and builders pursuing Green Star or LEED certification, PVD is a smart way to meet sustainability goals without compromising on luxury.
🧠 High-Performance Meets High Design
Here’s where PVD really shines, bridging the gap between aerospace-grade performance and architectural beauty.
At Atomic PVD, we work with clients in:
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High-end architecture – custom stair railings, lift buttons, doorware
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Luxury hospitality – tapware, fittings, signage
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Interior design – cabinet hardware, light fittings, furniture accents
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Bespoke automotive and industrial components
We use industrial-scale equipment, precision masking, and meticulous quality control to ensure your pieces don’t just look great—they perform under pressure.
🔗 Want More?
Here’s what else you might enjoy:
Final Thought
If your products live in the real world—used, touched, cleaned, and admired—then PVD is the coating that makes them last. Stronger than chrome, more sustainable than plating, and more beautiful than ever.
Atomic PVD brings the science of surface engineering to the art of modern design.
Ready to upgrade your finish? Let’s talk.