METALFLOW PVD
COATINGS.
MetalFlow PVD coatings provide exceptional wear resistance and low friction for metal forming, HSLA, stainless steel, and aluminized materials.
Request a QuoteMetalFlow PVD Coating
MetalFlow is North Star Coating’s proprietary CrN-based nano-layer coating engineered specifically for demanding metal-fabrication applications. It provides a harder and smoother surface than conventional CrN while maintaining the impact resistance needed for heavily loaded forming and stamping tools.
The combination of approximately 3,500 HV hardness, low friction, and high impact resistance makes MetalFlow well suited for forming HSLA, stainless steel, and aluminized materials. It can also serve as an alternative to CVD and T.D. treatments without exposing precision dies to the same risk of heat-related dimensional changes.
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MetalFlow Coating Properties
MetalFlow combines a hard, smooth nano-layer surface with low friction, thermal stability, and impact resistance for severe metal-forming environments.
Coating Color
Metallic
Produces a clean metallic finish on coated forming dies, punches, inserts, and industrial metalworking tools.
Surface Hardness
3,500 HV
Provides strong resistance to abrasion, adhesive wear, and surface damage during high-pressure forming operations.
Oxidation Temperature
Up to 1,500°F
Maintains protective performance at elevated temperatures generated by friction and repeated material movement.
Applications for MetalFlow Coatings
MetalFlow is engineered for high-impact, high-pressure metalworking applications where tooling must resist abrasion, galling, material transfer, and repeated mechanical loading.
HSLA Forming
Protects tooling used to form high-strength low-alloy steel, where elevated pressure and abrasive contact can rapidly damage untreated surfaces.
Stainless Steel Forming
Reduces galling and material transfer when forming stainless steel, which can adhere to tooling under heavy sliding pressure.
Aluminized Materials
Provides a smooth, wear-resistant surface for tooling that forms aluminized sheet while helping limit coating buildup and adhesive wear.
Stamping Dies
Protects die surfaces from high contact pressure, sliding wear, and repeated impact during demanding stamping operations.
Forming Punches
Combines surface hardness with impact resistance to protect punches exposed to repeated loading and severe material contact.
Progressive and Transfer Dies
Supports high-volume tooling stations that repeatedly pierce, form, draw, and transfer difficult sheet materials.
Why Choose MetalFlow Coating?
MetalFlow provides a hard, smooth, low-friction surface capable of withstanding the impact, pressure, abrasion, and material adhesion encountered in demanding metal-fabrication applications.
High Impact Resistance
MetalFlow is designed to withstand repeated impact and heavy mechanical loading without sacrificing the hard surface needed for wear protection.
Low-Friction Surface
Its smooth, low-friction surface reduces resistance as sheet material moves across the tool, helping limit heat, drag, and adhesive wear.
Galling Resistance
MetalFlow helps reduce galling, a severe form of adhesive wear caused when workpiece material transfers to tooling during high-pressure sliding contact.
Harder and Smoother Than CrN
Although MetalFlow is based on CrN technology, North Star engineers it to provide greater hardness and a smoother surface for more severe forming applications.
Protection for Difficult Materials
The coating is specifically positioned for difficult materials such as HSLA, stainless steel, and aluminized sheet that place substantial stress on forming tools.
Alternative to CVD and T.D.
MetalFlow can provide comparable or improved performance in applications that traditionally use CVD or T.D. treatments, while reducing the risk of dimensional changes to precision dies.
Let's Find the Right PVD Coating for Your Application
Whether you're coating cutting tools, dies, molds, or wear components, our team can recommend the best coating for your manufacturing process.