Structure and Specifications
The TAC (Tetrahedral Amorphous Carbon) diamond coating system is a high-performance surface enhancement platform designed specifically for hard cutting tools, difficult-to-machine components, and high-friction mechanical parts.
It adopts a vertical chamber design with a compact overall layout, minimizing footprint while providing easy access for workpiece loading and maintenance.
Available Chamber Sizes:
Φ800 × 800 mm (H)
Φ900 × 1000 mm (H)
Φ1000 × 1200 mm (H)
Inside the chamber, an adjustable-speed rotating fixture supports both planetary and self-rotation modes, ensuring excellent coating thickness uniformity and stable adhesion across all workpieces. This flexible configuration meets both R&D and mass-production coating requirements.
Target Configuration and Process Design
The system integrates cathodic arc magnetic filtration with magnetron sputtering to deposit high-purity tetrahedral amorphous carbon (TAC) films on various substrates.
Process Principle:
The magnetic-filtered cathodic arc effectively removes macro-particles from the plasma stream, resulting in a finer, smoother coating.
Meanwhile, magnetron sputtering enhances coating density and adhesion.
This hybrid process allows high-quality film deposition at relatively low substrate temperatures.
Target Materials:
High-purity graphite (C) is used as the primary target.
Auxiliary metal targets (Ti, Cr, etc.) can be introduced to modify coating properties—such as hardness, internal stress, and friction coefficient—according to specific application requirements.
Magnetic Filtration System:
Located downstream of the arc source, the magnetic filter eliminates large particles and stabilizes the plasma flow, producing exceptionally smooth, uniform coatings ideal for precision-engineered components.
Deposition Temperature:
Typically maintained between 200–350 °C, enabling high-adhesion coatings on cemented carbide, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, and tool steel without causing thermal deformation or annealing of the substrate.
Vacuum and Control System
The system is equipped with a high-performance vacuum pumping unit composed of a turbomolecular pump and a mechanical forepump, achieving an ultimate vacuum of 5 × 10⁻⁴ Pa.
This ensures a clean, stable deposition environment with minimal contamination.
A fully automated PLC control system precisely regulates all process parameters, including target power, gas flow (Ar, CH₄, H₂), substrate rotation speed, and deposition duration.
The system also supports multi-channel real-time monitoring, process curve recording, and automatic alarms.
Recipe management allows users to store and recall optimized coating processes, ensuring consistency and traceability across production batches.
Process and Performance Advantages
Magnetic-filtered arc ensures high-density, ultra-smooth coatings
Coating hardness up to 4000–6000 HV
Extremely low friction coefficient (< 0.1), with superior wear resistance
Excellent adhesion to a wide range of metallic substrates
Low-temperature deposition suitable for heat-sensitive materials
Depositable Materials
The system can produce various carbon-based high-performance films, including:
TAC (Tetrahedral Amorphous Carbon) coatings
TiC, CrC, and WC carbide coatings
Metal-doped DLC composite films (e.g., Ti-DLC, Cr-DLC)
Applications
Due to its high hardness, low friction, and outstanding corrosion resistance, the TAC coating is widely applied across advanced manufacturing and precision engineering sectors:
Cutting Tools: Hard alloy inserts, end mills, and drills — improving cutting speed and tool life
Difficult-to-Machine Materials: Ideal for titanium and nickel-based alloy machining, reducing built-up edge formation
Aluminum Processing: Prevents chip adhesion and enhances surface finish quality
Precision Mechanical Components: Bearings, pistons, shafts, and sliding parts — increasing wear resistance and lifespan
High-Friction Mechanical Parts: Valves, guide rails, and transmission components — providing anti-friction protection
The TAC diamond coating system, integrating cathodic arc magnetic filtration and magnetron sputtering, achieves coatings with exceptional hardness, strong adhesion, and low friction.
With its precise process control, robust structure, and broad adaptability, it is the ideal solution for surface strengthening of cutting tools, molds, and precision components.
