Term: Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD)

Category: Coating Application Methods

Definition: Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) entails the process of creating a thin coating that does not chemically react. A solid coating material is heated to vaporize into a gaseous state inside a vacuum chamber. When the gas leaves the chamber, it forms a thin coating upon any surface. The result is a very smooth, very strong thin film of material deposited upon the substrate.

Example Uses:

• PVD is used to apply protective films against wear and corrosion
• Optical coatings
• Conductive layers 

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