Codiac

Composite Diamond Coating is a regenerative layer of an electrolessly plated matrix, usually a nickel/phosphorus alloy, with finely divided particles uniformly dispersed in it. The particles are uniform in size, and range from 0.1 to 10 microns. Coatings may contain up to 50% diamond by volume, though standard diamond content is in the 20 to 30% range. The nickel matrix alloy most commonly used is made up of 90-93% nickel and 7-10% phosphorus.

What will CODIAC do for me?

"Quite a bit."

CODIAC, in a relatively thin layer (0.5 to 1 mil), will provide maximum protection for your substrates against extreme wear and corrosion. Since your coated machinery parts will last much longer, reduced maintenance, and production costs can be realized. Fewer replacement parts will be required, and lost time incurred through machine shut down will be minimized.

Won't diamonds make the surface abrasive?

"Conventional diamond, yes...
Shock synthesized polycrystalline diamond, no... and CODIAC employs only the polycrystalline diamond."

Natural diamond is made up of 1 to 6 relatively large crystals that fracture along the cleavage planes separating them. These sharp cutting points make natural diamond ideal for grinding operations. Unlike natural diamond, shock synthesized diamond is composed of up to three million crystallites, so small in size, they are measured in angstroms (millionths of an inch). These infinitesimally small crystallites are rounded and relatively smooth. Hence, no abrasion problem.

How expensive is it?

"Not as much as you would expect."

The cost of CODIAC is relatively low when consideration is given to its outstanding wear life, and the savings that can be realized from extended use and greater reliability.

After the coating is applied, are there any other steps to the process?

"Sometimes."

When coating metallic substrates, a heat treatment step is generally desirable to provide improved adhesion of the coating, hardness of the matrix, and improved wear. Baking temperatures range from 450 degrees to 750 degrees depending on the substrate. Further smoothing of the coated surface can also be implemented if your application requires it.

What substrates can be coated?

"An amazing variety, ranging from metals and alloys to plastics."

Any of the aluminum series, carbon steel, tool steel, stainless steel, and brass are suitable as substrates. Several engineering plastics can also be metallized by CODIAC.

What are some suitable applications?

"Too many to list them all."

Included among the successful field applications may be found:

• Mechanical shaft shields for automotive water pumps and chemical process pumps.
• Textile machinery parts.
• Tools for processing glass or ceramic filled resin.
• Wood working tools, such as taps, dies, drills, routers, rasps and files.
• High speed paper handling equipment such as lifters, sorters, and guides.
• Computer parts such as magnetic tape, reading heads, and guides.
• Ultrasonic transducer wear plates.
• Gage blocks.
• Smokeless powder extruder dies and cutters.
• Industrial scissors and barber scissors.
• Extruder kneading blocks, screws and barrels for processing glass filled resins.

"First, hardness."

CODIAC provides the exceptional advantages of diamond, the hardest material in nature, with the unique properties of synthetic polycrystalline diamond.

"Next, surface coverage."

Inherent as part of the electroless plating technique, uniform plating is achieved even in fine recesses without the use of complicated electrolytic and spray coating techniques. In addition, the matrix used in CODIAC provides excellent corrosion resistance.

"Finally, extended lifetime."

CODIAC affords significantly increased durability in comparison to conventional wear surfaces such as tool steel, mild steel, and hard coatings such as chromium, silicon carbide, chromium dioxide spray, etc.

Micro Surface Corporation, 465 E. Briscoe Dr., P. O. Box 788570. Tel: 815-942-4221; Fax: 815-942-4265.