Material system
PVD
Satin Finish
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD): vacuum coating process where solid metal targets (Ti, Zr, Cr) vaporize into plasma and deposit atom-by-atom onto 304 stainless steel substrate (ASTM A240 / EN 1.4301). Resulting ceramic film: titanium nitride (TiN), titanium carbonitride (TiCN), or zirconium nitride (ZrN), selected per target hue—Bronze (TiCN), Champagne Gold (TiN), Rose Gold (TiN+ZrN modulation), Black Titanium (TiAlN). Metallurgical bond formed without chemical binders; coating thickness: 0.3-5 microns (300-5000 nm). Satin texture: pre-coating abrasive brushing at 120-180 grit, unidirectional grain, locked by subsequent vacuum deposition. Base material retains 304 food-grade properties: 18% Cr, 8% Ni, ≤0.08% C, 515 MPa tensile strength, 205 MPa yield strength.
Overview
PVD-satin finish on 304 stainless steel: 2000-2500 HV surface hardness (VDI 3198), 10x wear resistance versus bare steel, 1000+ hours salt spray survival (ASTM B117). This coating technology enables permanent metallic colors in residential cabinetry through atomic-level deposition that eliminates chipping, fading, and delamination risks inherent in liquid-applied finishes.
Composition & Grade Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD): vacuum coating process where solid metal targets (Ti, Zr, Cr) vaporize into plasma and deposit atom-by-atom onto 304 stainless steel substrate (ASTM A240 / EN 1.4301). Resulting ceramic film: titanium nitride (TiN), titanium carbonitride (TiCN), or zirconium nitride (ZrN), selected per target hue—Bronze (TiCN), Champagne Gold (TiN), Rose Gold (TiN+ZrN modulation), Black Titanium (TiAlN). Metallurgical bond formed without chemical binders; coating thickness: 0.3-5 microns (300-5000 nm). Satin texture: pre-coating abrasive brushing at 120-180 grit, unidirectional grain, locked by subsequent vacuum deposition. Base material retains 304 food-grade properties: 18% Cr, 8% Ni, ≤0.08% C, 515 MPa tensile strength, 205 MPa yield strength.
Key Properties Abrasion resistance: 10x base metal per Taber Abraser CS-17 wheel, 1000g load, 1000 cycles (ASTM D4060). Surface hardness: 2000-2500 HV (TiN-based), 2500-3000 HV (ZrN-based), 3500-4000 HV (CrN-based) per ASTM E92 Vickers microhardness. Adhesion: HF1-HF2 classification, Rockwell C indentation 60-150 kgf (VDI 3198). Critical load: >50 N scratch adhesion (ASTM C1624). Corrosion resistance: >1000 hours neutral salt spray, no red rust, rating 10 per ASTM B117/ASTM D1654. Thermal stability: ΔE<1.0 color shift at 300°C, compatible with Fadior 220°C glue-free bonding. UV stability: ΔE<0.5 after 2000 hours QUV-A (ASTM G154); inorganic ceramic layer eliminates photodegradation. Coefficient of friction: 0.4-0.6 (dry), reduced fingerprint retention versus mirror polish (Ra 0.4-0.8 μm vs. Ra <0.1 μm).
Fadior Processing Integration distinction: PVD application within fully automated, glue-free production ecosystem. Competitor limitation: PVD applied to flat sheets only, post-forming damage risk. Fadior solution: Salvagnini P4Xe automated bending centers, 88% component forming rate (4,527/5,113 tracked parts, 2023 production data), ±0.1mm tolerance accommodates 0.3-5 micron coating without crack initiation. Glue-free construction: 7th-generation steel frame, PET film + dry powder electrostatic spray bonded at 220°C; PVD components engineered for thermal cycle survival without TiN phase transformation (no color shift, no adhesion loss). Patent foundation: 213 cumulative patents, 12 glue-free manufacturing patents (CN201810XXXXXX.X series), 3 PVD-steel compatibility patents. Quality control: AI-driven vision systems (Keyence CV-X series), 0.8% defect rate versus 5% industry standard; grain alignment verification across multi-door installations. Seamless construction: single-sheet forming, interior/exterior PVD-satin consistency, zero adhesive interfaces.
Sustainability & Environmental Impact PVD process: zero hazardous liquid waste, zero VOC emissions, 95% target material utilization versus 60-70% electroplating efficiency. Energy consumption: 15-25 kWh/m² coating, 40% lower than electroplating including wastewater treatment. No hexavalent chromium, no cyanide, no heavy metal sludge. End-of-life: 100% recyclable through standard stainless steel streams; PVD layer <0.1% mass fraction, no separation required. Fadior glue-free construction eliminates formaldehyde (EN 717-1: <0.005 mg/m³), isocyanates, solvent-based adhesives. 30-year surface warranty reduces replacement frequency: estimated 2.3x lifecycle versus painted cabinetry. Carbon footprint: 18.2 kg CO₂e/m² finished surface (cradle-to-gate, ISO 14040/14044), 34% lower than powder coat + laminate equivalent.
Residential Applications Primary deployment: luxury kitchen collections, metallic warmth without hygiene compromise. Island cladding: 10x wear resistance protects against stool impact, grocery contact, cutlery abrasion. Wall runs: PVD-satin Bronze, Champagne Gold specified for open-concept visibility; satin grain minimizes fingerprint visibility versus mirror polish (subjective rating: 2.3/10 visibility vs. 8.7/10). Bathroom vanities: HF1-HF2 adhesion resists humidity cycling, cosmetic chemical exposure (pH 2-12 tested). Outdoor kitchens: ADEX Platinum Award segment; salt spray >1000 hours enables coastal deployment where powder coats fail at 500-800 hours. Integrated appliance panels: atomic consistency eliminates batch variation; ΔE<0.5 color match refrigerator-to-cabinet versus ±2.0-3.0 for liquid painting. Specialty applications: elevator interiors, yacht galleys, medical laboratory casework where sterilization compatibility (autoclave 134°C) and chemical resistance (Cidex, bleach protocols) are required.
Comparison with Alternatives | Property | PVD-Satin (Fadior) | Electroplating | Powder Coat | Anodized Al | Laminate Veneer | |----------|-------------------|----------------|-------------|-------------|-----------------| | Hardness (HV) | 2000-2500 | 400-600 | 200-400 | 300-500 | 20-50 | | Thickness (μm) | 0.3-5 | 10-50 | 60-120 | 5-25 | 100-500 | | Salt spray (hrs) | >1000 | 200-500 | 500-1000 | 336-500 | 0-100 | | Color range | Full metallic | Limited | Broad, non-metallic | Narrow, dyes only | Printed patterns | | Environmental | Clean | Hazardous waste | Moderate | Clean | Adhesive VOCs | | Edge coverage | Uniform | Poor on complex | Fills radii | Uniform | Seams visible | | Warranty | 30 years | 5-10 years | 15-20 years | 10-15 years | 5-10 years |
Electroplating: generates Cr⁶+ waste, 3-5x lower hardness, orange peel texture, poor complex geometry coverage. Powder coat: excellent impact resistance but chip-to-substrate failure mode; 60+ micron thickness obscures sharp metal details. Anodized aluminum: no true gold/bronze achievable, 40% lower structural strength (Al 6061-T6: 310 MPa tensile vs. 304 SS: 515 MPa), galvanic corrosion risk with steel hardware. Laminate: adhesive failure mode, moisture ingress at edges, non-recyclable composite construction.
Key Properties
Every specification value below is traceable to published standards. We include the reference so architects and specifiers can verify independently.
| Property | Value | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.3-5 microns mm | |
| Hardness | 2000-2500 (TiN-based) HV | ASTM A240 |
Detail gallery
Detail views that show surface, edge, and finish quality.
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Questions
What architects and homeowners ask.
PVD-satin: 2000-2500 HV (TiN-based) per ASTM E92. Fadior powder coat: 200-400 HV (cured at 220°C). Quantitative advantage: 6-12x hardness differential. Taber Abraser testing (ASTM D4060): PVD-satin shows <5 mg weight loss at 1000 cycles; powder coat shows 25-40 mg. Practical implication: PVD-satin preferred for high-touch areas (island fronts, appliance panels) where fine abrasion dominates; powder coat retained for complex geometries requiring extreme impact flexibility.
Full compatibility verified through 12 Fadior glue-free manufacturing patents (CN201810XXXXXX.X series). PVD TiN phase stable to 300°C; 220°C PET film bonding creates no TiN→TiO₂ oxidation, no color shift (ΔE<0.3 validated). Thermal cycle testing: 50x 220°C cycles, HF1 adhesion retention, no delamination. Result: zero-formaldehyde (EN 717-1: <0.005 mg/m³) final product with metallic surface finish.
AI-driven vision inspection (Keyence CV-X series) on 100% of PVD-satin panels. Detection: grain angle deviation >5° flagged for rejection. 2023 performance: 0.8% defect rate versus 5% industry standard. Multi-door installations: batch-level grain orientation locked; shipping sequence numbered for installer compliance. Champagne Gold and Bronze: maximum perceptible variation controlled to ΔE<0.8 with aligned grain; ΔE>2.0 possible with 90° grain reversal.
Coverage: peeling, flaking, blistering >2mm diameter, color shift ΔE>3.0 from original measurement. Exclusions: mechanical damage from carbide/diamond abrasives, chlorine bleach exposure >5% concentration >24 hours, fire damage >300°C. Validation requirements: original purchase documentation, professional installation verification, adherence to Fadior cleaning protocol. Claims process: photographic documentation, optional third-party ASTM testing at Fadior expense. Historical performance: <0.3% warranty claim rate on PVD-satin installations 2015-2024.
ASTM B117 neutral salt spray: >1000 hours, rating 10 (no red rust). Powder coat equivalent: 500-800 hours typical failure. Bare 304 stainless: 200-400 hours pitting initiation. Fadior ADEX Platinum Award outdoor kitchen specification: PVD-satin mandatory for within 1 mile coastal exposure. Real-world validation: 8-year Florida Keys installation, zero corrosion, ΔE<0.5 color retention. Maintenance: fresh water rinse post-salt exposure extends performance margin.
Material guidance