Physical-vapour deposition (PVD) turns ordinary stainless into a colour-fast, wear-resistant surface without paints or plastics. Below we condense Google Stainless-Steel’s 18-year PVD data into a spec-ready primer for façade consultants, OEM designers and procurement teams.
Ultra-clean: alkaline rinse + RF-plasma remove organic films < 5 nm.
Vacuum chamber: < 3×10⁻³ mbar, substrates heated 200 °C for out-gassing.
Cathodic arc: 99.9 % Ti, Cr or Zr targets evaporated into plasma.
Reactive gas: N₂ (gold, champagne), C₂H₂ (black, blue) forms 1–3 µm ceramic layer.
Cool-down: inert gas back-fill; colour measured in-situ with L*a*b* ΔE ≤ 0.5.
| Substrate | ASTM D3359 Grade | Cross-hatch % intact |
|---|---|---|
| 304 2B | 5B | 100 % |
| 316L 2B | 5B | 100 % |
| 430 BA | 4B | 95 % |
Pull-off values average 28 MPa; failure always within epoxy glue, never at PVD interface.
Site: Miami-Dade subtropical C5-M, 45° south exposure, 2014-2024.
Colour shift ΔE < 1.0 (human eye threshold).
Gloss retention 92 % (60° GU).
No under-film corrosion; salt deposit washed quarterly.
| Colour | Target L*a*b* | ΔE vs. Target | Stock Gauge (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ti-Black | 20 0 0 | 0.4 | 0.5 – 2.0 |
| Rose-Gold | 55 12 8 | 0.3 | 0.4 – 1.5 |
| Champagne | 65 4 18 | 0.5 | 0.4 – 1.2 |
| Ocean-Blue | 30 -5 -20 | 0.4 | 0.5 – 1.0 |
Custom colours available with 2-week R&D coupon for orders > 500 m².
| Finish | Material + Finish USD | 25-yr Maint. USD | Total NPV |
|---|---|---|---|
| PVD Ti-Black 304 | 42 | 5 | 47 |
| Anodised 5005 Alu | 28 | 25 | 53 |
Stainless PVD wins on life-cycle cost and fire rating A1 (Euroclass).
Need colours fast? Request a FREE PVD fan-deck (swatches on real 0.7 mm 316L) and we’ll mail it globally within 5 business days—carbon-neutral shipping included.
