Punch coatings improve how tooling interacts with your formulation at the point of compression. When the right coating is applied, tablets release more cleanly, sticking and picking are reduced, and punches and dies last significantly longer.
Coatings are not a workaround — they are a performance layer that improves consistency where it matters most: at the surface where the punch meets the product.
Many tableting challenges originate at the punch–tablet interface. Once the correct steel is selected, coatings enhance how tooling performs under real production conditions.
A properly matched coating can:
The result is cleaner tablets, fewer production interruptions, and more predictable performance.
Natoli offers a range of coating technologies designed to solve specific tableting challenges. Selection is based on formulation behavior, production conditions, and tooling requirements.
Higher hardness values (HV) generally indicate greater wear resistance.
| COATING | TYPE | HARDNESS (HV) | THICKNESS | PRIMARY BENEFIT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cr50 Standard Chrome | Electroplated | 950 HV | 3–6 µm | Release / anti-stick |
| UltraCoat™ HC100 Hard Chrome | Electroplated | 1200 HV | 4–8 µm | Improved wear + release |
| UltraCoat™ HC150+ | PVD Hard Chrome | 2200 HV | 3–4 µm | High wear + adhesion |
| CrN200 Chromium Nitride | PVD | 2400 HV | 3–4 µm | Wear + corrosion resistance |
| UltraCoat™ TiN300 Titanium Nitride | PVD | 2800 HV | 3–4 µm | Maximum wear resistance |
| UltraCoat™ ZrN400 Zirconium Nitride | PVD | 2400 HV | 2–6 µm | Corrosion + anti-stick |
| UltraCoat™ DLC500 Diamond Like Carbon | PVD | 2800 HV | 3–4 µm | Low friction + wear resistance |
| Nickel Fluoropolymer 202P | Composite | 900 HV | 20 µm | Release / lubricity |
| Plasma Nitriding | Diffusion | 1000 HV | 70–100 µm | Surface hardening |
Each coating is selected to match the problem — not applied as a one-size-fits-all solution.
Choosing the correct coating starts with identifying the problem at the tooling surface.
Coatings enhance performance—but they cannot:
Optimal results come from combining:
Natoli combines advanced coating technology with decades of tooling expertise to deliver solutions that perform in real production environments.
Natoli utilizes modern coating methods, including Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD), to improve coating performance and consistency.
Compared to traditional electroplating methods, PVD coatings provide stronger adhesion and more consistent performance, particularly in demanding production environments.
The right coating can eliminate sticking, improve tablet release, and significantly extend tooling life.
Connect with Natoli’s technical team to discuss pricing, compatibility, or a live demonstration of the punch coating options available for your production environment.