In 2017, the Surface Solutions Division, under the Oerlikon Balzers brand, expanded its comprehensive portfolio to include BALIFOR M and BALIFOR T coatings for automotive components, as well as surface solutions for heating systems and electric car brake discs. These included BALIFOR M and BALIFOR T, as well as coating solutions for heating systems and electric car brake discs. BALIFOR M is a molybdenum-nitride coating that is characterized by its outstanding compatibility with lubricants and additives that can break down at high temperatures. BALIFOR T is perfect for high-temperature applications, applications with low lubricant levels over longer time periods, and in combination with aggressive additives. RotaPlasma™ HS1, a unique high-speed rotating plasma gun manipulator, was launched under the Oerlikon Metco brand in 2017. RotaPlasma HS1 is an integral component of the SUMEBore™ coating solution, which helps to reduce friction, oil and fuel consumption, and wear in the automobile cylinder bores.
The Division launched various special products for customers from the tooling and general industries. These included BALIQ® UNIQUE for color coding, as well as INLENIA pica and INLENIA kila. The INLENIA coating system uses the S3p® technology from Oerlikon Balzers to produce exceptionally smooth surface coatings with a high degree of durability. S3p® is particularly beneficial for cutting tools with high precision and surface quality requirements (micro tools, thread cutters, reamers and inserts for end processing), and applications for materials that are difficult to machine (stainless steel or titanium). INLENIA pica is the compact, flexible solution for high-precision tools, while INLENIA kila is designed for processing large batches of tools in mass production.
Oerlikon Balzers introduced the new BALINIT DIAMOND coatings to the market in 2017 specifically for customers from the aviation sector. These are intended for tools used to machine challenging alloys such as titanium and nickel, as well as to improve covering parameters in aviation applications. MetcoAdd™ alloys were also newly launched. These are next-generation materials for coatings and additive production processes to increase the efficiency of aircraft engines. Surface One, the new thermal spray system from Oerlikon Metco, increases process efficiency and productivity by means of improved user friendliness, a standardized and compact design, increased mobility and improved security features.
The power generation market saw the market launch of various surface technologies in 2017. This includes the BALINIT® TURBINE PRO multilayer coating, which is harder and firmer than conventional coatings and thus increases the service life of turbine compressor blades.
Surface Solutions launched systems and technologies, as well as five new alloys for the additive manufacturing market in 2017. Based on the technology of Scoperta – acquired in 2017 – an improved version of Hastelloy X, a well-known, nickel-based super alloy, was specially developed and launched on the AM market. Thanks to its corrosion resistance at high temperatures and its strength, this improved material is ideal for aviation and power generation applications. The company’s new Additive Manufacturing Technology & Innovation Center in Munich will aid the advancement of research and development in the additive manufacturing sector.