The difference between PVD stainless steel and colored stainless steel

2025-04-10

The difference between PVD stainless steel and colored stainless steel

In modern architectural decoration and industrial design, stainless steel is widely used for its durability and aesthetics. With the development of technology, a variety of different types of stainless steel have appeared on the market, of which PVD stainless steel and colored stainless steel are two common types. Although they can all present rich colors, there are significant differences in the manufacturing process, performance characteristics and application fields. This article will explain the difference between PVD stainless steel and colored stainless steel in detail.

1. What is PVD stainless steel?

PVD, an abbreviation of "Physical Vapor Deposition", is an advanced surface treatment technology. Through the PVD process, the surface of the stainless steel is covered with an extremely thin but very hard coating that not only changes the color of the stainless steel, but also enhances its wear resistance and corrosion resistance.
PVD stainless steel features:
Uniform and long-lasting color
Formed by physical vapor deposition technology, PVD coatings are uniform in color and resistant to fading, maintaining their luster even after long-term exposure to outdoor environments.
High hardness and wear resistance
PVD coating hardness is high, can effectively prevent scratching and wear, suitable for high-frequency use scenarios.
Environmental protection technology
PVD technology uses a physical method, does not produce harmful chemicals, and is more environmentally friendly.
A variety of color options
The PVD process can achieve rich color effects, such as gold, rose gold, black titanium, etc., to meet different design needs.

2. What is colored stainless steel?

Color stainless steel is formed on the surface of stainless steel through chemical treatment or oxidation process, so as to show different colors. This process is usually achieved by electrochemical coloring or chemical oxidation. Features of colored stainless steel:
colorful
Color stainless steel can be adjusted by oxide film thickness, showing a variety of colors, such as blue, purple, green, etc., rich visual effect.
Lower cost
Compared to PVD stainless steel, the production cost of colored stainless steel is relatively low, so it is more common in some projects with limited budgets.
Highly decorative
Color stainless steel is mainly used for decorative purposes, and its surface gloss is strong, which can enhance the overall design sense.
The durability is weak
The wear resistance and corrosion resistance of colored stainless steel are relatively weak, and long-term use may cause scratches or fading.

3. The main difference between PVD stainless steel and colored stainless steel

Comparison dimensions	PVD stainless steel	Colored stainless steel
Process principle	Physical vapor deposition	Chemical oxidation or electrochemical coloring
Color durability	Durable and not easy to fade	Easily faded due to wear or oxidation
Hardness and wear resistance	High hardness, strong wear resistance	General hardness, easy to scratch
Environmental protection	Environmental protection process, no pollution	May involve chemical reagents, with certain pollution
Application scenarios	High-end decoration, industrial design	General decorative purposes
Cost	Higher	Lower

4. How to choose?

The choice of PVD stainless steel or colored stainless steel mainly depends on the specific needs and budget:
If you pay attention to the durability of the product, corrosion resistance and high-end texture (such as high-end building exterior walls, hotel decoration, etc.), it is recommended to choose PVD stainless steel.
If the budget is limited and it is mainly used for interior decoration or short-term projects (such as exhibition displays, home decor, etc.), colored stainless steel may be a more affordable option.

5. Summarize

Although PVD stainless steel and colored stainless steel can bring rich color to stainless steel, they have their own advantages in process technology, performance and application fields. PVD stainless steel with its excellent durability and high-end texture become the best choice for high-end scenes, while colored stainless steel with its cost advantage to meet the needs of a wider market. In the actual selection, you can choose the most suitable material type according to the project budget, the use of the environment and the design needs.