ADVANCED ZrN
COATINGS.
ZrN PVD coatings provide excellent corrosion resistance, low friction, and extended tool life for aluminum, titanium, and forming applications.
Request a QuoteZrN PVD Coating
ZrN, or Zirconium Nitride, is a versatile general-purpose PVD coating that provides high surface hardness, dependable wear resistance, and strong corrosion resistance. Its balanced properties make it useful for cutting and forming applications involving non-ferrous materials.
North Star Coating identifies aluminum and titanium cutting and forming as two of the best applications for ZrN. The coating is intended for slow- to medium-speed machining with flood coolant, which helps control cutting temperatures while the hard coating protects the tool from abrasive and sliding wear.
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ZrN Coating Properties
ZrN combines a hard, wear-resistant surface with strong corrosion resistance for properly controlled cutting and forming applications.
Coating Color
Pale Gold
Produces a distinctive pale-gold finish on coated cutting tools, form tools, and other precision tooling.
Surface Hardness
4,000 HV
Provides substantial resistance to abrasive wear and helps protect critical tool surfaces during repeated material contact.
Oxidation Temperature
Up to 1,000°F
Requires appropriate speed and coolant control to keep cutting temperatures within the coating’s recommended operating range.
Applications for ZrN Coatings
ZrN is especially well suited for aluminum and titanium cutting and forming applications operated at slow to medium speeds with flood coolant.
Aluminum Cutting
Provides a hard, wear-resistant surface for cutting tools used to machine aluminum at controlled speeds with flood coolant.
Aluminum Forming
Protects forming surfaces from repeated sliding contact and wear as aluminum moves across the tooling during production.
Titanium Cutting
Supports controlled-speed titanium machining where flood coolant helps manage the heat generated at the cutting edge.
Titanium Forming
Provides wear protection for tooling exposed to pressure and repeated material movement while forming titanium components.
Coated End Mills
Helps protect end-mill cutting edges from abrasive wear during properly cooled, slow- to medium-speed machining operations.
Form Tools
Provides a durable surface for precision form tools that experience repeated contact, pressure, and sliding wear.
Why Choose ZrN Coating?
ZrN offers a practical balance of hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion protection for aluminum and titanium tooling used under properly controlled operating conditions.
High Surface Hardness
At approximately 4,000 HV, ZrN creates a hard surface that protects tooling from abrasive wear and repeated material contact.
Strong Corrosion Resistance
North Star identifies ZrN as having very good corrosion resistance compared with other PVD coatings, helping protect the coated surface in appropriate production environments.
Aluminum Tooling Performance
ZrN is one of North Star’s recommended coatings for aluminum cutting and forming applications that require dependable wear protection.
Titanium Tooling Performance
The coating is also recommended for titanium cutting and forming when speed, coolant delivery, and operating temperature are properly controlled.
Designed for Flood Coolant
North Star specifies flood coolant for ZrN machining applications. Consistent coolant delivery helps control heat and keep the coating within its intended temperature range.
General-Purpose Versatility
ZrN bridges the gap across several applications by combining high hardness, corrosion resistance, and suitability for both cutting and forming non-ferrous materials.
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.