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IBED Precision Coatings for Tablet Tooling: Chromium Nitride

Precision coatings are often applied to tooling used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical tablets to ensure the process is operating efficiently as possible. The tableting tooling used in these processes tends to wear over time, resulting in undesirable effects which reduce performance. Precision coatings are applied to restore tableting tooling to its original levels of performance, increasing production and restoring efficiency.

Ion Beam Enhanced Deposited (IBED) Coatings -

The Ion Beam Enhanced Deposition (IBED) process is a precision coating technology that allows for the deposition of high quality engineered performance hard-coatings on virtually any metal and/or metallic alloy surfaces. Operating at temperatures below 200 degrees Fahrenheit, the IBED precision coating process is highly controllable, resulting in coatings with precise thickness and repeatable properties. Ion Beam Enhanced Deposition coatings are first formed in the subsurface region of the pharmaceutical tooling part to be coated and then grown out to a typical thickness of up to 5 microns (0.0002 inches). This tight metallurgical bond guarantees excellent coating adhesion and eliminates the possibility of chipping and flaking of the coating during tooling operation.

Chromium Nitride Coatings -

Chromium Nitride coatings work well when applied to pharmaceutical tooling to reduce corrosion, eliminate sticking and picking, and reduce wear rates. In use, Chromium Nitride provides a better performance enhancement than chrome plating for corrosion resistance, the reduction of sticking, and is also better for reducing high wear rates.

Chemical Properties of Chromium Nitride -

Chromium Nitride is a metallic nitride compound having a chemical formula of Cr2N. It is a solid material exhibiting a metallic gray color and having no odor. It is a non-volatile, non-flammable compound that is insoluble in water and organic solvents. Chromium Nitride is only slightly reactive with strong inorganic acids (chromic acid) and strong oxidizing agents (potassium persulfates). It is hard (HKN 2800), highly resistant to abrasive wear and, because of this, does not release wear debris. When deposited as a coating using the IBED process, Chromium Nitride is fully dense and free from microscopic voids. As such, Cr2N will not absorb or trap any powdered or liquid materials that it may come into contact with.

Health Effects of Cr2N -

Chromium nitride is listed as not having any specific known health hazards, is not known to aggravate any known health conditions, and is not specifically listed as a carcinogen.  

FDA Regulations for Using Cr2N -

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and, therefore, also regulates the equipment used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, including solid dose tableting tooling. Chromium Nitride coatings, when applied to the working surfaces of tableting punches and dies using the IBED process, satisfy FDA regulatory guidelines (21 CFR 211.65) because the process produces coatings that are non-reactive, non-absorptive and non-additive.

About the Author

Dr. Deutchman is currently Chairman and Director of Research and Development at Beamalloy Technologies, LLC where he is directly involved with the research, development, and application of the Beamalloy patented IBED coating process. He is the author of numerous articles published in a variety of scientific and trade journals, holds numerous patents, and lectures widely on surface engineering.

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