Recently ACARL of CityU has developed successfully a new type of anti-sticking coatings by novel PVD technology. The research was supported by Tier 2 project under the Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITSP) of the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) of HKSAR (Ref. ITS/559/09FP).

The research project aims to develop novel surface coatings by physical vapor deposition (PVD) as a hard chrome replacement because of their advanced mechanical, tribological, chemical and anti-sticking characteristics. The closed field unbalanced magnetron sputter ion plating (CFUMSIP) has been shown to be effective for the preparation of various high-quality coatings. In this study, new anti-sticking coating systems have been deposited by CFUMSIP technique on mold steel materials.

According to the present investigations, the anti-sticking hard coatings show promising potential for IC packaging applications due to their superior combined properties, such as high hardness, good resistance to wear, corrosion and oxidation, as compared to other conventional PVD hard coatings (e.g., TiN and DLC, etc) and hard chrome. The release force to separate the epoxy from the coated surfaces can be reduced by 95% or more as compared the uncoated or Cr-plated surfaces. The good release performance of the coatings depends on the low surface energy (20 mN/m), high density and unique surface microstructure. The surface hardness (30-35 GPa), thermal stability and oxidation resistance (500 oC in air) are much superior to those of Teflon (PTFE), the conventional non-sticking material. The anti-sticking coatings are effective for both thermoplastic and thermoset polymer materials.

Due to the superior properties of the new PVD anti-sticking coatings as well as the environmental friendliness of the PVD coating process, it is anticipated that not only the IC packaging industry, but also the plastic injection molding and compounding industries will benefit from this research. Injection molds, for example, are often subjected to corrosion and pitting attack. Hard coatings can serve as a diffusion barrier to the corrosive substances in modern plastics. Additionally, the hardness of the coatings can protect the molds from the abrasive additives in plastic materials. Tool life increases by a factor of five or more is possible. Furthermore, the hard coatings can have more special properties, such as rejection of materials sticking to the uncoated tools. This anti-sticking property can also allow non-lubricated forming or cutting processes. Also, it is beneficial to the environmental protection, because there is no lubricant waste. Therefore, successful applications of these anti-sticking coatings will propel the manufacturing industries in Hong Kong and mainland China to a higher level.

For enquiries, please contact ACARL at: meisf@cityu.edu.hk

31/12/2012

I am shocked and sad to know that Mr. Dennis Teer, the founder of Teer Coatings Ltd, passed away last week after a battle against illness for a period of time. Here I would like to send my deepest sympathy to his family. I am sure that many hearts must be heavy with sorrow at this moment. He will be keenly missed by everyone who knows him.

Dennis is a great innovator. He is also the pioneer in developing his coating company in 1980s. The new coating concept, “closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering”, has been turned into reality since his invention in 1990s. The establishment and development of Teer Coatings is the crystallization of his painstaking effort and wisdom through these years. He is the soul and steersman of this world-leading company.

Dennis is a scholar with rich experience and great personality. He is our good teacher and helpful friend. As a venerable elder, he is always kind, amiable and enthusiastic. In the year 2000, although over seventy, he made nothing of hardships to travel to Hong Kong, and gave good advice to help us to set up the Advanced Coatings Applied Research Laboratory (ACARL). The Teer’s coating system was installed in ACARL in 2001 through the joint effort. This was the first import of the Teer’s coating technology in China. Looking back to the past years, there will be no today’s ACARL without his great support. In 2002, when I went to UK and visited his company, together with two young colleagues, Dennis even drove by himself to the Birmingham train station to pick us up. He was so gentle and unassuming. He answered our questions patiently and explained every technical issue in detail. In 2004, we had another chance to UK again to attend the Plasmag II conference organized by him, and listened to his earnest guidance. We all respect and revere him as the master and figure of authority.

Dear Dennis, may you be happy and healthy in the heaven. We will cherish the memory of you forever.

Z.F. Zhou
(Dennis with his coating equipment in ACARL)

ACARL’s close friend, Dennis G. Teer, founder of Teer Coatings Ltd., has passed away in hospital peacefully in his sleep with his wife Xiaoling with him last week.

Back in late 90s, an ex-academic, Dennis provided unselfish help to our research students on coating research. ACARL was established later in 2000, and Teer coating equipment has become the workhorse of the group. With his advice and his support, ACARL has matured to be a potent force in coating R&D to support to the industry. Dennis has always enjoyed and loved his R&D work in coatings. When I visited him in August this year during my family vacation, it was obvious that he has suffered badly form his illness, however, his eyes suddenly glowed with enthusiasm when he began to explain to me about his latest R&D work. When the 20 minutes session in front of his computer screen finished, he resided back to his chair with a smile and satisfaction. This man truly loved his work.

We shall miss this pioneer and friend in surface coatings technology. (Lawrence, 14th October 2010)