Gears

Better Gears

A high-performance nanocomposite coating helps you get more from your gears: improved performance & extended life.
Speak with an Expert
UPT AGMA member - high-performance protective coatings for gears. lower friction, minimize wear, reduce corrosion. DLC for gears
Join Us at the AGMA Fall Technical Meeting.
We're presenting on our latest Nanocomposite coating for Gears.
Learn More & Register
lower gear friction and less gear oil

You're being robbed!

Well, not you specifically, but your power transmission system is being robbed of performance and reliability. The worst part...you know you're being robbed!

What's robbing your system? In every system, the primary suspects are Friction, Wear, and Heat. These thieves work together to steal energy and reduce the life of your system's components.

Friction

Friction between gears takes several forms, contributing to energy loss and performance drain.  Each type of friction, whether sliding, rolling, lubricant shear, or others, leads to heat generation, wear, deformation, and ultimately, failure.
Explore gear friction
reduce gear friction with a dlc coating

Wear

Like friction, wear comes in many forms, but each one robs your system of reliability and reduces performance. Wear is the loss or deformation of material and can be detrimental to your gearing system. 
Explore gear wear
reduce gear friction with a dlc coating

Heat

Heat, which is often the result of frictional forces, can lead to thermal expansion, thermal fatigue, lubrication breakdown, reduced material strength, increased oxidation, and many other performance and reliability robbing issues.
Explore how heat affects gears
reduce gear friction with a dlc coating
spur gear with internal gear low friction dlc coating
Spur gear with internal gear coated with GearCoat DLC (diamond-like carbon).
spiral bevel gear coated with diamond-like carbon, dlc coating
Spiral Bevel gear with DLC coating (diamond-like carbon)
the key to reducing gear friction is a dlc coating

The Key

When battling friction, wear, and heat, most people reach for solutions like: 
  • Gear Redesign
  • Lubricant Modification
  • Lubricant System Alterations
Each of these potential solutions requires time, and resources, which, in the end, may not lead to significant improvements. Plus, these solutions could take years to develop.
The real key to unlocking your system's potential is a nanocomposite coating and we have just the coating. Our GearCoat DLC has been specifically designed to minimize losses due to Friction, Wear, and Heat.
dlc coated
Super-low Friction
increase the hardness of gear tooth surface
High Hardness
reduce scuffing, pitting, fretting, spalling, galling, and other wear on gears
Minimal Wear
thin protective dlc coating for gears
Ultra-thin (3-5 microns)
dlc coating provides increased load capacity for gears
Increased Load Capacity
UPT pvd pecvd and ald coatings are engineered to reduce wear, friction, and corrosion.
Reduced Lubricant Temp
increase production in converting equipment

Compatible Substrates

Our coatings have been used to improve the performance of gears made from a multitude of materials.
If you're wondering if we can coat your gear material, reach out. We're always up for a challenge. We have a deep bench of engineers, chemists, material scientists, and production personnel who have a history of developing creative solutions.
  • Ferrous Metals
    - Iron
    - Steel
    - Tool Steel
    - Stainless Steel
  • Aluminum ‍
  • Titanium ‍
  • Nickel / Nickel Alloys‍
  • Heat Resistant / Super Alloys
  • Copper & Bronze
low temperature dlc coating
Our coatings are deposited at some of the lowest temperatures in the industry, which means our processes won't affect heat treatments. Our DLC coatings can be applied at temperatures as low as 250 °F (121 °C)
Case Hardening (Carburizing)
Carbonnitriding
Cryogenic Hardening
Nitriding
Induction Hardening
Flame Hardening
dlc coating for gears
Not only are our coatings compatible with most heat treatment regimens, these coatings are also compatible with other surface treatment techniques like:
Boronizing (Boriding)
Shot Peening
articles about nanocomposite coating, dlc coating, pvd coatings, ald coatings, and pecvd coatings
Read our latest article in Gear Technology Magazine
dlc gun coating service near me

Coatings for Gears

The following coatings are industry-favorites for increasing efficiency and prolonging gear life.

P50

DLC (diamond-like carbon)
Thickness
Application Temp.
Friction vs. Steel
Service Temp.
Hardness
Roughness
Surface Chemistry
Wear Type
Coating Method
3-5 microns
250 - 450 °F (121 - 232°C)
0.1 - 0.2
< 750 °F (398 °C)
500 - 1100 HV
< 5 nm
Inert
Adhesive / Abrasive
PVD

P51+

DLC (diamond-like carbon)
Thickness
Application Temp.
Friction vs. Steel
Service Temp.
Hardness
Roughness
Surface Chemistry
Wear Type
Coating Method
3-5 microns
250 - 450 °F (121 - 232°C)
0.005 - 0.1
< 600 °F (315 °C)
~ 2300 HV
< 5 nm
Inert
Adhesive / Abrasive
PVD + PeCVD

Tectus

DLC (diamond-like carbon)
Thickness
Application Temp.
Friction vs. Steel
Service Temp.
Hardness
Roughness
Surface Chemistry
Wear Type
Coating Method
1.5-5 microns
250 - 450 °F (121 - 232°C)
0.005 - 0.1
< 750 °F (398 °C)
500 - 1100 HV
< 5 nm
Inert
Adhesive / Abrasive
PVD + PeCVD

UPT Advantage

DLC: Hybrid Deposition

We employ a hybridized deposition process combining PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) and PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition). This advanced process allows our DLC to be applied at lower temperatures than many other coating providers in the market.

Because our coating is applied to the surface of your gear at lower temperatures the properties of the base material, like case hardening, aren't affected.

Expertise

We're a surface engineering company backed by over two decades of surface study and solution development. Our on-site tribology lab allows us to accurately characterize surface properties, ensuring you receive the ideal surface.

Frictionless Service

When you work with UPT you'll receive personal service designed to provide you with a frictionless experience. Our experts in surface technology will guide your project from quote to delivery with personalized service the whole way.
Speak with an Expert
spiral bevel gear with a dlc coating
Spiral Bevel gear with GearCoat DLC coating