Aalberts surface technologies Lübeck

Thanks to their ceramic hardness and low coating thickness of only a few µm, our wear-resistant carbide coatings are particularly suitable as finish coatings. Typical serial applications include valve train components in car engines, for example.

Our unique in-line technology makes us a preferred partner to both automobile manufacturers and suppliers. It enables us to manufacture large PVD series very economically and with maximum reproducible quality.

In the area of forming technology, cerid^® coatings prevent galling on tools and significantly increase service lives, particularly in the area of complex stainless steel forming.

In the area of forming technology, cerid^® coatings prevent galling on tools and significantly increase service lives, particularly in the area of complex stainless steel forming.

In the area of plastics processing (injection moulding / extrusion), cerid^® coatings are used as wear protection and as non-adhesive finishes to prevent adhesion.

We have developed special low-friction coatings which display extraordinary anti-adhesion properties and yet very high degrees of wear resistance. They are used, e.g. on calibration parts in PVC extrusion or on tools in the area of plastics processing.

Using a combination of electroplated coatings and PVD, practically pore-free corrosion-protective surfaces can be achieved on components and tools. These are used in the plastics industry, for example, when halogenated fillers are used as fire retardants (aerospace). With coating systems like these, practically gas-proof tool protective coatings can be achieved (PTFE extrusion).

With our various DLC coating variants, manufactured using both PVD and PACVD, friction coefficients of µ < 0.1 can be achieved towards steel. DLC coatings are often used as decorative non-scratch surface finishes (colour: anthracite).

In the medical technology sector and especially in the area of implantology, biocompatible coatings are attributed great significance. The success of the healing process following the insertion of implants into the biological system is decisively influenced by the biocompatibility of the implants themselves – particularly their surface finishes – as well as their durability, i.e. their long-term stability inside the body.

Working with institutes and experienced implantologists, Aalberts surface technologies has dedicated resources to these topics and developed biocompatible coatings which have proved their value in clinical applications for more than 20 years.

The triumph of PVD coatings in energy and environment technology began with the serial production of solar panels made from amorphous silicon and/or CdTe in the 1990s. On account of the low layer thicknesses of sub-µm to only a few micrometres, significant material resources and therefore costs can be saved.

Another key application for thin coatings is in improving the conductivity and corrosion-resistance of drive units in fuel-cell vehicles. These so-called “stacks” comprise several hundred individual stainless steel panels (usually referred to as bi-polar panels) which are subject to extreme loads during driving.

As a preferred development and series partner to the leading German brand manufacturer, our special cerid^® coatings have made a decisive contribution towards getting this innovative powertrain technology onto the road.