HNCF ™ APPLICATION PROCESS
Phase 1 - Ionic Plasma Nitriding (NIP) - Optional
Surface-hardens the substrate creating a mechanical backing. Applied to soft materials (stainless steels), rarely used with Nickel alloys or Duplex steels.
Without backing, PVD/DLC deposits risk spalling under point loads.
Phase 2 - Ultra-High Velocity Bombardment (416 km/s)
Particles bond at molecular level into the crystal lattice - no delamination possible.
Unlike PVD/DLC mechanical bonding, HNCF ™ creates a single metal ceramic entity.
Phase 3 - HNCF ™ Ceramic or Nanoceramic Finish (1.5 - 10 µm)
Ultra-resistant barrier against abrasion, impact and corrosion, with resilient elasticity.
Unlike brittle HVOF/Electroless Nickel, HNCF ™ absorbs impact like a resilient armour.
01
Precision cleaning and surface activation to ensure optimal nanoparticle adhesion.
Surface Preparation
02
Vacuum & Degassing
The component is placed inside a dedicated chamber where vacuum is applied and the piece is fully degassed.
03
Nanoparticle Bombardment
Ceramic nanoparticles are projected onto the rotating component. The piece rotates on three axes to ensure a perfectly uniform coating distribution.
04
Multi-layer Deposition
Multiple layers are applied in sequence until the required final thickness (1,5 - 10 µm) is achieved.
Process repeatability is ensured by dedicated software that manages the entire coating cycle.
05
Removal, Inspection & Certification
The coated component is removed from the chamber, subjected to full dimensional inspection and certified to customer specifications.
Performance Results & Economic Benefits
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Hardness — 3.500÷6.000HV (approaching diamond hardness). Outperforms TCC-HVOF and Stellite, withstands violent impacts and solid debris.
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Friction — Reduction of up to -90%. No traditional technology (PVD, DLC, Nickel, Stellite) delivers the same result.
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Corrosion — Chemically inert, does not react with strong acids and does not trigger galvanic corrosion. TCC-HVOF and Stellite are vulnerable to H2S and chlorides.
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MTBF — Operational life tripled compared to TCC-HVOF or Stellite.
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Actuators — Torque reduced by up to 80% direct cost saving on actuators and support structures.
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Maintenance — Near zero, ideal fot HP/HT wells, subsea installations and refining.
Specific Oil & Gas Applications
Over the years X1X has developed more than 380 deposits and treatments for a wide range of service conditions. For the Oil & Gas sector, two coating grades are primarily used. Their main characteristics are described below.
H38
CERAMIC COATING
Multilayer ceramic coating with hardness varying between 2.800÷3.100 HV and a friction coefficient of around 0,18. It performs well at high temperatures (850°÷925°C.) but also at low temperatures if desired. It resists a good range of corrosive acids - a good compromise between sufficiently high performance and an affordable price.
BLUE
NANOCERAMIC COATING
Multilayer nanoceramic coating with exceptional hardness characteristics and a very low friction coefficient. Hardness varies between 5.250÷5.750 HV depending on the version applied, with a friction coefficient of around 0,07÷0,10. Resistance to high temperatures is exceptional, ranging between 1.150°÷1.200°C. Resistant to various corrosive agents, it features very high elastic characteristics despite the very high surface hardness. Its hexagon-shaped nanometric molecular structure ensure that particles always share one or more sides with neighbouring nanoceramic particles. This makes the deposit highly resistant to fracture and flaking, as its modulus of elasticity (Young’s modulus) is generally higher than that of the substrate - meaning the base material must yield before the coating.
Color
Titanium Grey
Hardness
2.800÷3.100 HV
Melting Point
1.305°C
Max. Work Temp.
875°C
Friction Coefficient
0,18
Structure
Hexagonal
Dark Blue
Color
5.250÷5.750 HV
Hardness
n.a.
Melting Point
1.250°C
Max. Work Temp.
0,07÷0,10
Friction Coefficient
Hexagonal
Structure