Pardon this basic question.

1. How hard is the Titanium Nitride (TiCh) coating compared to SIC, oxides, etc?

2. Is there a difference in hardness between black TiCh and other colors such as gold?

3. I got some black TiCh coated guides and they really are not very slick at all. Under a loupe, they look rather 'matte black'. hHowever, I've seen photos of TiCh in gold color and they look very slick like chrome. Are the gold any slicker than the black?

Thanks in advance for your help. What a great forum!

Mo

There is a page in the Baston Catalog that speaks about the different materials, if you don't have the catalog here is a link to the online version [www.batsonenterprises.com]

Bob Crook
La Pine, OR

TiCh is the more or less black color. The gold colored finish is TiN(Titanium Nitride).

I haven't had much experience with TiCh yet(the rod I'm working on has a TiCh hood and guide frames), but in my experience, TiN has a tendency of wearing off over time. I believe that it is used to plate drill bits, etc because it can be removed and re-applied fairly easy...I'm not sure if that's a plus or minus for rod building.

I grew up in a machine shop, and have used a lot of TiN coated machining tools, as well as other PVD coatings. The coatings really help with high heat applications in machining, but we are talking temps often over 1000 deg. F. I don't really think they help much on guides, other than cosmetically. And, because like any coating, it can chip, I am not a big fan.

I think a good smooth ceramic ring is the way to go.

Just my .02.
Marc

Thanks guys. A reading from Batson and some postings on this board gives conflicting stats on hardness. I think Batson shows around 1700 but others on this forum have posted about 2200-2500 hardness. I think that may be a factor of the underlying material.

Regardless, I've got the answers I need. THANKS to all for responding.

Mo