Hybrid techniques in surface engineering

The potential of the newer coating methods, such as plasma assisted physical vapour deposition (PAPVD) will not be realized across a wide applications range until certain intrinsic deficiencies are overcome. These relate, for example, to processing economics and the ability to coat low cost substrates. Within the solution of the latter requirement comes the need to provide load support for the coating. Also for many applications, especially those in which abrasion and corrosion may occur, thicker films are needed. In this paper we highlight four hybrid processes which, in different ways, seek to remove these constraints of the PAPVD process and thereby considerably widen its applicability.