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| Model 990 widespread lavatory faucet in the stainless steel PVD |
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Demand for distinctive plumbing finishes have grown into a noticeable trend in the kitchen and bathroom. Faucets, fittings, and even decorative trim are now available in an increasing assortment of rich finishes, such as Oil Rubbed Bronze, Weathered Copper, Satin Nickel, and Polished Silver.
Today's consumers are leading these trends, driven by a desire to personalize and distinguish their kitchens and bathrooms. Your customers are increasingly willing to invest extra dollars in areas that are important to them. The "jewels" of the kitchen and bathroom are often at the top of their list, offering you an outstanding opportunity to share knowledge and upgrade your sales with these specialized products.
PVD Finishes
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| The PVD chamber and computerized control system. |
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The most significant recent breakthrough in finishing is the Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) metal finishing process. PVD finishing is taking the faucets and fittings category in a dynamic new direction, offering decorative options beyond chrome and greatly increasing the durability of standard brass finishes.
The PVD finishing process combines reactive gases such as nitrogen and acetylene with specific metals to form a thin, film-like metal alloy that coats metal parts creating an elegant, highly durable finish. The process takes place in a sealed vacuum chamber, under airtight, contaminant-free conditions.
PVD offers these benefits:
- Exceptional resistance to abrasion.
- Elimination of clear topcoats that can be scratched or discolored by sunlight.
- Exceptional richness and depth.
- A 100% environmentally conscious process, without the plating solutions, metal vapors, or toxic waste normally associated with electroplating processes.
A lifetime guarantee against corrosion, tarnishing, or discoloring.
The Process
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| Parts are hung on racks for the PVD coating process. |
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The complete PVD finishing process, from cleaning to final inspection, takes place under clean room conditions that include hygienic air purification, pressurized to reduce dust and other contaminants.
The process begins with high-quality chrome-plated brass parts. Surface preparation and initial quality control is paramount to ensure the highest quality PVD finish.
Individual parts are hung on racks and travel through a multiple-step ultrasonic, aqueous cleaning process. Sound wave vibrations and chemicals thoroughly clean and prepare the surface for coating. The cleaning process contains no chlorinated solvents or other ozone depleting chemicals.
After drying and inspection, the parts are taken to the PVD chamber for the coating process. The chamber is controlled by a computerized system that stores and monitors 64 individual applications, customized to meet specific parameters for various parts and different finishes.
Inside the PVD chamber, 14 arc sites generate a high-current, low-voltage charge that stimulates a reaction between the gases and metals, forming the film-like metal alloy that coats the parts.
Four gas channels make it possible to create a specific combination of the most effective gases for each situation, while the arc sites allow for the mix of up to three different metals to maximize corrosion resistance.
Carefully measured adjacent clearances between arc sites and other racks assure complete coverage and eliminate contamination through water vapor. The sealed condition of the chamber is regularly tested with a helium leak detector to ensure chamber integrity.
After the coating process is complete, a sample from each batch is measured by a spectrograph. The results are compared to a set of tight process control parameters for various part shapes and sizes to ensure color consistency.
Future Finishes
The PVD process is not limited to brass finishing. Progressive companies are working to develop unique PVD finishes, including Stainless Steel, which is currently available. This striking finish surpasses typical nickel and satin chrome, projecting a dynamic sophistication that has proved to have great consumer appeal.
Increasing your knowledge of special finishes and offering upgraded product choices to your customers will enhance your professionalism and boost your bottom line. Talk with your plumbing wholesaler today to learn more about this dynamic product category.
