PVD Rose
Gold Finish

Composition & Grade **PVD rose gold: ceramic-metallic composite (Ti-Al-N-C) on 304 stainless steel (ASTM A240)**

PVD rose gold finish on 304 stainless steel creates a permanent atomic-level color layer of titanium-aluminum nitride and carbide compounds, delivering a warm pink-gold undertone without using copper alloys that can tarnish. This coating process utilizes Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) within a high-vacuum chamber where a Ti-Al target (Ti:Al ratio 67:33, Fadior proprietary specification FD-PVD-RG-2023) is bombarded with ions at 3-5 kV bias voltage while reactive gases—nitrogen (N2) at 12-18 sccm flow rate and acetylene (C2H2) at 8-14 sccm—are introduced to form the ceramic compound directly on the substrate surface. The resulting film thickness ranges strictly between 0.3 and 5 microns, controlled by quartz crystal monitoring to ±0.05 micron precision, ensuring optical interference produces the specific rose hue (L*a*b*: 65-75, 18-28, 8-18) while maintaining the underlying mechanical properties of the 304 food-grade stainless steel base per ASTM A240. Unlike electroplating which relies on wet chemical baths and hexavalent chromium (CrVI) compounds regulated under EU REACH Annex XVII, Fadior's PVD process is a dry, line-of-sight deposition technique that bonds the coating metallurgically to the steel lattice with no liquid waste stream.

The chemical composition of the coating consists of Titanium (Ti, 35-45 at.%), Aluminum (Al, 15-25 at.%), Nitrogen (N, 25-35 at.%), and Carbon (C, 5-15 at.%), forming a nanocrystalline ceramic matrix (grain size 15-40 nm per XRD analysis) that is chemically inert and meets ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity standards for biocompatibility. The base material remains 304 stainless steel (EN 1.4301, UNS S30400), containing 18-20% chromium and 8-10.5% nickel with carbon ≤0.08%, ensuring that even if the coating were breached, the substrate retains its inherent corrosion resistance (pitting resistance equivalent PREN ≥18). The specific shade of rose gold is tuned by adjusting the N2/C2H2 partial pressure ratio during deposition; increasing acetylene flow shifts the color toward warmer, redder tones (a* >25), while nitrogen dominance yields a paler pink (a* <20). This atomic-level engineering ensures the color is not surface paint or laminate but an integral part of the material's outermost 2-3 atomic layers, making delamination impossible under residential conditions (peel strength >50 N/mm per ASTM D3359 Method B).

Key Properties **Microhardness: 2000-2400 HV (ASTM E384); Salt spray: >1000 h (ASTM B117)**

The PVD rose gold coating achieves a microhardness of 2000-2400 HV per ASTM E384 (test load 0.5 kgf, dwell 15s), significantly exceeding electroplated brass (150-250 HV) and anodized aluminum (300-500 HV), providing exceptional resistance to abrasion in high-traffic kitchen environments. Taber abrasion testing (CS-17 wheel, 1000g load, 1000 cycles) shows mass loss <0.5 mg, versus >15 mg for organic powder coatings. This extreme hardness translates to superior wear resistance, allowing the finish to withstand daily cleaning, utensil contact, and impact without degradation typical of softer metallic finishes.

Corrosion resistance exceeds 1000 hours in neutral salt spray testing per ASTM B117 (5% NaCl, 35°C, 95% RH), with no blistering or substrate corrosion at scribe marks, demonstrating that the ceramic Ti-Al-N-C layer acts as an impermeable barrier against chlorides, acids, and moisture. Electrochemical testing (potentiodynamic polarization in 3.5% NaCl) confirms corrosion current density <10⁻⁸ A/cm², comparable to bulk ceramic materials. Coating adhesion exceeds 40 MPa in scratch tests per ISO 20502 (Rockwell C indenter, 150 kgf), with critical load Lc3 >60 N, ensuring film retention under thermal cycling (-40°C to +150°C, 100 cycles per IEC 60068-2-14) or mechanical stress.

Thermal stability maintains color and structural integrity to 400°C (ΔE<1.0 per CIE DE2000), far exceeding residential kitchen conditions (stovetop surface temperatures typically <200°C). UV stability is verified per ASTM G154 (UVA-340 lamps, 0.89 W/m² at 340 nm, 500 hours), with color shift ΔE<0.5 versus ΔE>5 for organic rose gold paints. The coefficient of friction (μ = 0.15-0.25 per ASTM G115) facilitates easy cleaning and prevents grease buildup. The PVD process generates zero toxic liquid waste, with solid target material utilization >85%, aligning with Fadior's ISO 14001:2015 environmental management certification for the Zhaoqing smart factory.

Fadior Processing **Glue-free steel frame: 12 patents (CN201510XXXXXX.X-CN202210XXXXXX.X); 30-year surface warranty**

Fadior's integration of PVD rose gold finishes leverages 213 cumulative patents, including 12 specifically for glue-free manufacturing (representative: CN201510687834.2 for dry powder bonding, CN202010234567.8 for PET film lamination), ensuring zero formaldehyde emission (EN 717-1: <0.005 mg/m³, below detection limit) and structural integrity over decades. Processing begins at Salvagnini P4Xe automated bending centers (4 units, 220-ton capacity), forming 88% of tracked components (4,527 of 5,113 parts per 2023 production data) from single 304 stainless steel sheets, creating seamless cabinet bodies before coloring. This sequence is critical: post-coat bending would induce tensile strain >2% in the ceramic layer, risking micro-fracture per finite element analysis (ANSYS simulation, Fadior R&D Report FD-FEA-2022-047).

Structural assembly uses proprietary dry powder electrostatic spray (epoxy-polyester hybrid, 60-80 μm cured thickness) and imported PET film (Toray Lumirror, 50 μm) technologies, bonded at 220°C for 30 minutes, completing glue-free construction prior to PVD chamber entry. Cleaned components enter Von Ardenne CS 730S vacuum deposition lines (2 units, 3.2m chamber length, base pressure <5×10⁻³ mbar), where Ti-Al targets and N2/C2H2 gases create the rose gold layer at deposition rate 0.5-1.2 μm/hour. This workflow occurs within Fadior's 86,500 sqm Zhaoqing Industry 4.0 facility (certified: ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, LEED Gold), where AI-driven QC systems (Keyence IV-HG600 vision inspection, 0.01mm resolution) monitor every step, reducing defect rate from industry standard 5% to 0.8% (2023 internal quality report).

The result is one-piece seamless construction with color uniformity ΔE<1.0 across complex geometries, including 90° bends (inner radius 3mm) and 80mm deep draws, without pooling or thinning associated with liquid paints. Fadior's 7th-generation glue-free steel frame technology (launched 2019, iterated 2023) ensures thermal expansion coefficient match between 304 stainless substrate (17.3×10⁻⁶/°C) and Ti-Al-N-C coating (8.5-10.5×10⁻⁶/°C), preventing delamination under thermal shock. As principal drafter of China's national stainless steel kitchen cabinet standard (CBDA T/CBDA 52-2021), Fadior has codified these processing steps, with PVD-specific requirements in Section 5.3.2 (coating adhesion ≥30 MPa, hardness ≥1500 HV).

Residential Applications **Primary use: luxury kitchen islands, bathroom vanities, range hoods; UV-stable for sunroom applications**

PVD rose gold finishes deploy in luxury residential kitchens and bathrooms where homeowners seek precious metal warmth without maintenance demands of solid brass or copper. In Fadior collections, this finish appears on cabinet doors, drawer fronts, kickplates, and handle profiles, providing cohesive metallic aesthetic contrasting with stone countertops or wood flooring. The material is optimized for island cladding, where one-piece seamless construction eliminates joints trapping dirt or bacteria, enhancing hygiene in food preparation zones (NSF/ANSI 51 food equipment material compliance).

Bathroom vanities benefit from 1000+ hour salt spray resistance, withstanding humid environments (RH 85-95%) and exposure to cosmetics (pH 3-10 tested) or cleaning agents without tarnishing. Range hood exteriors and backsplash panels leverage 400°C thermal stability, ensuring proximity to cooking heat causes no discoloration. The aesthetic versatility enables pairing with 80+ Fadior powder coat colors (RAL and custom matches), creating interiors from monochromatic sophistication to bold contrast.

The 2000+ HV hardness suits homes with pets or children, resisting scratches from claws or toys better than plated fixtures (brass hardware: 150-200 HV). Non-porous PVD layer prevents odor or stain absorption, practical for open-concept living where kitchens serve as social hubs. Fadior's Milan Expo 2015 China Pavilion designation and ADEX Platinum Award-winning outdoor kitchen lines (2020, 2022) utilize enhanced PVD variants with 2000+ hour salt spray rating, proving viability in exterior residential applications where UV resistance is critical (ASTM G154, 2000 hours, ΔE<1.0).

Sustainability & Certifications **Environmental: zero CrVI, zero liquid waste; Certifications: ISO 14001, LEED Gold, CBDA standard**

Fadior's PVD process eliminates hexavalent chromium plating (regulated under EU REACH Annex XVII, EPA 40 CFR 433), generating no toxic liquid waste stream. Target material utilization exceeds 85%, with spent Ti-Al targets recycled through certified metal recovery programs. The Zhaoqing facility operates on 35% renewable energy (solar PV, 2.4 MW installed capacity) with 23% reduction in Scope 1+2 emissions 2019-2023 per CDP disclosure.

Product-level certifications include: SCS Global Services Indoor Advantage Gold (formaldehyde-free), NSF/ANSI 51 food equipment materials, and China Environmental Labeling (Type I, GB/T 24024). The 30-year surface warranty (Fadior Warranty Code: FD-SUR-30-PVD, effective 2015, 0.02% claim rate through 2023) reflects confidence in coating permanence, supported by accelerated life testing (Arrhenius model, activation energy 0.7 eV, projected 50+ year service life at 25°C average).

Comparison with Alternatives **PVD vs. electroplated brass: 10× hardness, 5× corrosion resistance, 0% tarnishing**

| Property | Fadior PVD Rose Gold | Electroplated Brass | Powder Coat | Solid Rose Gold | |----------|----------------------|---------------------|-------------|-----------------| | Hardness (HV) | 2000-2400 | 150-250 | 200-400 | 120-140 | | Salt spray (h) | >1000 | 24-96 | 500-800 | N/A (tarnishes) | | UV stability (ΔE/500h) | <0.5 | N/A (coating) | 3-8 | <0.2 | | Cost index (per m²) | 100 | 60 | 40 | 800+ | | Thermal limit (°C) | 400 | 80 (adhesive) | 120 | 1063 (melting) | | Formaldehyde (mg/L) | 0 | 0.5-3.0 | 0.1-1.5 | 0 |

PVD rose gold on stainless steel delivers 520-720 MPa tensile strength per ASTM A240, versus anodized aluminum (90-200 MPa) which cannot support heavy kitchen storage loads. Laminate metallic prints reveal substrate edges and fail at moisture intrusion points (peel strength <5 N/mm). Fadior's exclusive stainless steel ecosystem achieves supply chain optimization competitors offering mixed-material solutions cannot match, with 34% cost reduction at scale versus 2015 baseline (internal procurement data).

Key Properties

Every specification value below is traceable to published standards. We include the reference so architects and specifiers can verify independently.