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Black PVD coatings

Hi, I am looking for a PVD coating for copper, aluminum, brass or steel, which meets the following requirements:
1. Dark black in color, this is important
2. Has high electrical conductivity
3. Hard and flexible

So far, I am thinking about TiAlN, TiCN and other possible options. But it seems that no one knows the electrical properties of these coatings. Hope someone could help me and that would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Tim Yan
Student - California
June 20, 2011

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Black PVD coatings are hard to deposit, and certainly not flexible. For the most part, they are electrically conducting, but are far less conducting than hard nitrides such as TiCN and TiAlN. TiCN and TiAlN coatings are not black. TiAlN coatings are dark gray, and TiCN coatings range from rose to dark gray.

Hard PVD coatings are difficult to deposit on very soft substrates, such as aluminum. Copper substrates also are a problem, so if you go in this direction I would suggest you go to a steel substrate.

Jim Treglio - scwineryreview.com
PVD Consultant & Wine Lover - San Diego,
California
June 29, 2011