Tikka Nitriding

Another option for you guys looking at Nitriting is PVD (Plasma Vapor Deposition). I just had a tikka action, bolt, and barrel done. Haven't put it though it's paces yet, so time will tell durability and such.

Some PVD processes are done at low temp, so you don't have to worry about everything that can come with heating precision parts.
 
Another option for you guys looking at Nitriting is PVD (Plasma Vapor Deposition). I just had a tikka action, bolt, and barrel done. Haven't put it though it's paces yet, so time will tell durability and such.

Some PVD processes are done at low temp, so you don't have to worry about everything that can come with heating precision parts.
Whats the cost for pvd coating if you don't mind me asking?
 
I think you misunderstood the statement. I thought PVD is a process/technique to apply a coating but there are lots of coatings able to be applied by PVD.
Bingo. PVD in this context is usually a coating of some sort of titanium nitride. Where’s black nitriding is fundamentally changing the chemistry of the surface of the steel rather than coating.

IMG_4063.png

Diamond like carbon (DLC) would be a good choice. Used to be more popular.

-J
 
Bingo. PVD in this context is usually a coating of some sort of titanium nitride. Where’s black nitriding is fundamentally changing the chemistry of the surface of the steel rather than coating.

View attachment 843207

Diamond like carbon (DLC) would be a good choice. Used to be more popular.

-J
All this different coatings just have a different combo of elements that give a different color or coating, correct? Is there a physical difference in depth those coatings are applied to?
Black nitride is kinda the going thing now, cept titanium usually gets DLC as to not heat the titanium. Believe they usually heat pretty hot for do salt bath nitride(black coating), which is obviously different than PVD nitride(gold color). I personally like the feel of the black salt bath nitride coating, but have had some actions that are DLC and they were smooth as well. No experience with any the colors offered with PVD.
 
Bingo. PVD in this context is usually a coating of some sort of titanium nitride. Where’s black nitriding is fundamentally changing the chemistry of the surface of the steel rather than coating.

View attachment 843207

Diamond like carbon (DLC) would be a good choice. Used to be more popular.

-J
Yeah my response was maybe a softer way of asking what type of PVD coating as the different coatings can be quite different. Machining with different grades of even the same AlTiN PVD coated tooling shows massive changes in tool life. We had some parts just straight copper coated via PVD. We also gas nitride a bunch of tools but nothings been similar in operating function to a rifle action. Its mostly wear related or Aesthetics.
 
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IME, if you are concerned about the effect that Nitride might have on your firearm part (heat treat, softness, or warpage) then PVD/DLC type finish is a great choice. I've seen it on custom actions, and titanium actions. It was actually a charcoal grey when completely degreased, but a uniform black with just a little bit of oil. It kind of reminds me of Parkerizing, but much thinner and much more durable. You are probably going to want one of the DLC services from IonBond. The tricky part is the limited number of dealers and intermediaries that can get it done. Springer Precision used to offer it, but no longer. Same goes for a couple other companies that used to send parts to IonBond.
 
With PVD, the color depends on the thickness (we are talking nanometers here).

I got mine in a semi matte black, but the internal parts of the action are a bit rainbowed due to application exposure.

I have seen factory actions done with PVD that didn’t have this, so they must have a more sophisticated process than the aftermarket firms.
 
Is the juice worth the squeeze to take a trigger apart to nitride the safety selector and trigger?
I’m officially azz deep in a tikka for the first time.

I think I’ll wait for the barrel to send it off.

I’m still curious if anyone out there has an opinion on getting magnetic parts off the trigger to nitride “everything” or do you just send in the big stuff?
 

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With PVD, the color depends on the thickness (we are talking nanometers here).

I got mine in a semi matte black, but the internal parts of the action are a bit rainbowed due to application exposure.

I have seen factory actions done with PVD that didn’t have this, so they must have a more sophisticated process than the aftermarket firms.
You mean the depth of each coating changes how that colour appears?
 
You mean the depth of each coating changes how that colour appears?
It’s my understanding the thickness of the film that you are depositing as well as what exactly you are depositing drives the color of the finished product. Not sure if the paren material plays a role.

On my rifle there was definitely some places the color changed where they couldn’t get uniform application.

Remember when we are talking about thickness in thin films, it’s REALLY thin.
 
I’m officially azz deep in a tikka for the first time.

I think I’ll wait for the barrel to send it off.

I’m still curious if anyone out there has an opinion on getting magnetic parts off the trigger to nitride “everything” or do you just send in the big stuff?

There’s Gunsmith on LRH that tried nitriding smaller thinner parts on ars and a few other things one being the firing pin and found it weakened thinner smaller parts to much and made them brittle. His handle is BamBam he would know. But from reading about his experiences a few years ago I would guess it’s not a good idea. Aren’t critical parts of most high end triggers coated?
 
There’s Gunsmith on LRH that tried nitriding smaller thinner parts on ars and a few other things one being the firing pin and found it weakened thinner smaller parts to much and made them brittle. His handle is BamBam he would know. But from reading about his experiences a few years ago I would guess it’s not a good idea. Aren’t critical parts of most high end triggers coated?
That makes sense.

Initially I was thinking to send in "everything magnetic" because I have a one-track mind and its included but now I'm thinking just to send the action, bolt body and barrel.

I don't think I'd ever consider sending a barrel if it wasn't included in the cost. The barrel I'm sending will be shot out in 1000 rounds.

Kinda makes me think why bother at all honestly but I'm going to do it and satisfy my curiosity.
 

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