Abstract

PVD coating for tabletting tools with increased biocompatibility and optimized wear protection

Chromium is an important functional material for a variety of technical applications. Considering its higher oxidation states, it can however be very dangerous for the health of humans and other creatures. For the processing and production of food and pharmaceutical tablets it is therefore strongly recommended to protect relevant technical surfaces accordingly, to replace chromium from product touching surfaces or to prove the biocompatibility of the chromium containing surfaces. Following these recommendations, a new tailor-made PVD thin film was developed. This new PVD thin film is deposited with an unique recipe as well as a particular material combination. The surfaces coated with this modified Cr thin film show good anti-sticking properties, high biocompatibility, suitable wear resistance and high oxidation resistance and is therefore matching the complex demands for modern tableting tools in pharmaceutical tablet production. This market is highly dynamic and steadily growing and requires new solutions in surface and coating technologies. Common solutions are often based on Chromium and Chromium nitride coatings. In this study, it will be shown that the modified Cr thin film is different from commercial PVD thin films like chromium nitride (CrN) and galvanic hard chrome coatings on tableting tools due to its unique properties. Up to now the modified Cr thin film is according to the authors the only thin film with a proven biocompatibility for pharmaceutical products. Results on the biocompatibility tests according to ISO 10993-5:2009 will be shown here for the first time.

Korrespondenz:

Dr. Fabian Seifried, Notter GmbH, In den Erlen 10, 75248 Ölbronn (Germany), E-Mail: f.seifried@notter.com