Overview
ISO 25164:2026 – Physical vapor deposition coatings - Magnetron sputtering deposition of TiAlSiN thin films - Specification is an international standard developed by ISO. It details the technical requirements for depositing titanium aluminium silicon nitride (TiAlSiN) thin films using magnetron sputtering technology. The standard also extends its applicability to other coatings such as titanium nitride (TiN), titanium aluminium nitride (TiAlN), and titanium silicon nitride (TiSiN) thin films.
With its focus on quality, performance, and process control, ISO 25164:2026 provides essential guidelines for industries employing physical vapor deposition (PVD) coatings to enhance the durability and performance of tools and components. Adhering to this standard supports the production of high-performance coatings with superior properties like hardness, wear resistance, and corrosion protection.
Key Topics
- Workpiece Preparation
- Proper cleaning methods (degreasing, polishing) to ensure contaminant-free surfaces.
- Storage best practices to maintain workpiece quality before coating.
- Ensuring surface roughness (Ra ≤ 0.4 μm) for optimal coating adhesion.
- Technical Requirements
- Use of high-purity target materials and gases (argon and nitrogen, both ≥99.999% purity).
- Equipment setup, vacuum parameters, and environmental controls to achieve high-quality deposition.
- Magnetron Sputtering Process
- Utilization of mutually perpendicular magnetic and electric fields for efficient sputtering.
- Deposition under controlled vacuum conditions to yield thin films with high density and uniformity.
- Testing and Performance Evaluation
- Methods for assessing thin film composition, thickness, and crystalline structure.
- Testing procedures for evaluating hardness (using nanoindentation) and coating-to-substrate adhesion (scratch testing).
- Environmental and Safety Considerations
- Recommendation against harmful cleaning agents (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons).
- Proper waste gas management during deposition to protect workplace safety.
Applications
ISO 25164:2026 is highly relevant across various industrial sectors where thin film coatings are critical for enhanced material performance. Its applications include:
- Cutting tools and wear parts
- Tools for metalworking, machining, and manufacturing benefit from TiAlSiN’s exceptional hardness and wear resistance.
- Automotive and aerospace industries
- Components that require long-lasting surfaces capable of withstanding heat, corrosion, and friction.
- General machinery
- Machine parts and assemblies protected with PVD coatings for improved lifetime and reliability.
- Advanced ceramics and electronics
- Thin film deposition on ceramics and electronics substrates requiring precise control of film properties.
By following ISO 25164, manufacturers can achieve consistent quality, meet customer specifications, and increase the functional lifespan of coated parts.
Related Standards
ISO 25164:2026 references several related international standards to support its technical requirements and testing methods:
- ISO 4518 – Metallic coatings - Measurement of coating thickness - Profilometric method
- ISO 14577-1, ISO 14577-4 – Metallic materials - Instrumented indentation test for hardness and materials parameters
- ISO 20502 – Fine ceramics - Determination of adhesion of ceramic coatings by scratch testing
- ISO 22278 – Fine ceramics - Test method for crystalline quality of single-crystal thin film using XRD
- ISO 23833 – Microbeam analysis - Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) - Vocabulary
These standards ensure reliable measurement and evaluation of coating characteristics, supporting reproducibility and compliance in industrial production environments.
Implementing ISO 25164:2026 delivers significant benefits in quality assurance, process consistency, and product performance for industries utilizing magnetron sputtered PVD coatings.
