Creator of Composite Diamond Coating®
Surface Technology, Inc. is the creator and technical leader of CDC - Composite Diamond Coating®, an exceptionally engineered coating of electroless nickel with fine diamond. The synergy of these materials makes CDC an exceptionally hard and wear resistant coating. CDC conforms to even the most complex geometries and is an excellent replacement for chrome plating. STI makes CDC available via coating services from its production facility as well as chemical products sold directly, through a network of distributors, and by agreement with licensees worldwide.
Contact STI for One-Plate® Electroless Nickel solutions, the simplest EN in the world. These One-Plate® systems use just one “Q” solution for both bath make-up and replenishment. This innovation by STI overcomes the many shortcomings of using three A, B, and C solutions. Available in low, medium, high phosphorous, and composite EN varieties. Naturally, all are RoHS compliant.”
Illumi-Layer™
ILLUMI-LAYER™ is a composite electroless nickel coating containing phosphorescent, light emitting particles. Under normal incandescent or fluorescent light, the coatings appear silvery-gray in color. But when an ultraviolet light is shined onto the coating, it emits a distinctive colored glow. Various colors are available depending on the particles chosen for incorporation into the coating.
Applications for this unique coating are extensive. Thus far, two specific areas have emerged as the most significant: authentication and wear indication.
Authentication: Important parts or components can be coated to designate their authenticity as O.E.M. approved. The aircraft industry is one example where the need exists to prevent the substitution of counterfeit parts. Mechanics simply need to shine a hand held, battery operated UV light on parts to display the Illumi-Layer™, thereby confirming the authenticity of the parts before they are used.
Wear Indication: ILLUMI-LAYER™ serves a valuable role on any type of machinery part, mold or other apparatus subject to wear conditions. These parts are commonly coated with a functional coating such as nickel or chrome. Illumi-Layer™ makes it possible to determine when these functional coatings have worn through to avoid wear or damage to the part itself, thereby preventing inferior product from being produced out of tolerance from a worn part. With a thin layer of ILLUMI-LAYER™ between the substrate and the functional coating, an operator may then inspect the part periodically with a portable UV light, often while the part is still in use. Once colored light is observed, it is known that the functional coating has worn away. The part can then be recoated and reused before damage to the part itself occurs and before inferior product is produced.
ILLUMI-LAYER™ is:
- Hard
- Smooth
- Conformal to even the most complex geometries
- Applicable to most metals and alloys
- Economical to apply
- Valuable in the savings it provides
- Patented (U.S. Patents 5,514,479 and 5,516,591)