Expert Abrasion Resistant Coatings – UV & PVD Solutions

Scratch resistant coatings are specialized protective finishes applied to surfaces to prevent abrasion, scuffing, and wear damage. These coatings use advanced chemistries—such as UV-cured polymers or PVD-deposited hard materials like Titanium Nitride—to create a durable barrier that maintains aesthetic appearance and functional integrity. They're engineered to withstand the mechanical stresses of packaging, assembly, shipping, and consumer handling while preserving the underlying finish, whether metallic, painted, or decorative.

The lifespan of scratch resistant coatings depends on the application environment and coating technology used. Our UV topcoat systems and PVD hard coatings are engineered for the product's entire lifecycle—from manufacturing through years of consumer use. Cosmetic packaging with our proprietary UV coatings maintains flawless appearance through bulk packaging, assembly, retail display, and daily handling. Industrial PVD coatings like Titanium Nitride offer extreme durability for components facing harsh operating conditions. Proper substrate preparation and coating selection ensure maximum longevity for your specific application.

A scratch resistant coating is a protective surface treatment designed to prevent visible damage from abrasion and impact. These coatings work by creating a harder, more resilient surface layer than the underlying substrate. Technologies include UV-cured topcoats that cure instantaneously to form super-hard, chemically resistant barriers, and Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) methods that deposit extremely hard materials like Titanium Nitride or Zirconium Nitride. The coating acts as a sacrificial layer, absorbing minor impacts and resisting scratches that would otherwise mar the finish beneath.

Our coating systems work across plastics (ABS, Polypropylene, Polycarbonate, Ultem, Nylon, LCP), metals (brass, steel, zinc, aluminum), and glass substrates. Each material requires specific pre-treatment and coating chemistry. We've developed specialized processes for difficult-to-coat materials like polypropylene and HDPE, using advanced plasma treatment and proprietary adhesion promotion techniques. Our 60+ years of experience means we can recommend the optimal coating system for your substrate and performance requirements.

UV topcoats offer significant advantages over traditional thermal-cure systems: instantaneous curing enables high-speed production, superior hardness provides better scratch resistance, and excellent chemical resistance protects against cosmetics, fragrances, and solvents. Our UV systems are specifically engineered for cosmetic packaging where flawless finish is critical. They eliminate the scuffing and scratching that occurs during bulk packaging and assembly, while thermal systems often require longer cure times and may not achieve the same level of surface hardness.

Our coating process begins with thorough substrate preparation including cleaning and, when needed, plasma treatment for adhesion promotion. For multi-layer systems, we apply basecoats to ensure proper adhesion, followed by metallization if required, then the protective topcoat. UV systems cure instantly under controlled UV exposure, while PVD coatings are deposited in vacuum chambers using magnetron sputtering or reactive arc deposition. Each step is carefully controlled to ensure uniform coverage, proper thickness, and optimal adhesion for maximum abrasion resistance.

Yes, our extensive experience across 30+ finish types enables precise matching of protective coatings to your existing aesthetic. Whether you need to match metal and plastic components in an assembly, replicate a competitor's finish, or develop a completely custom appearance, our coating specialists can formulate solutions that deliver both the visual result and protection level you require. We offer free sampling services for most applications, allowing you to verify appearance and performance before committing to production.

Our 200,000+ sq.ft. facility operates 24-5 with capacity exceeding one million parts per week across 20+ simultaneous jobs. We handle everything from prototype sampling to high-volume production runs, with the flexibility to process trailer loads of material daily. Our in-house tooling design and build capability allows us to quickly scale from sampling to full production—often in half the industry-standard lead time. Whether you need 500 prototypes or 5 million production parts, our systems are engineered for consistent quality at any scale.