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Premier Control Technologies Fluid Solutions

Surface Treatment

Suface Treatment - Why is Precision Flow, Pressure & Dosing important?

Surface processes live or die on stable gas delivery, repeatable back‑pressure, and pulseless liquid dosing. Small deviations trigger coating non‑uniformity, roughness, pin‑holes, over‑spray, poor adhesion or cure issues.

Fluid Metering — valveless, pulseless liquid feeds for primers, binders & precursors

Common issues

  • Pulsation & drift in low rate liquid feeds cause coating thickness variation and streaks.
  • Viscosity changes (temperature/shear) upset mix ratios and flow stability during long runs.
  • Frequent starts/stops & reversals introduce bubbles and dead time in small bore lines.

How Fluid Metering solves it

  • Valveless ceramic piston technology delivers pulseless, drift free micro flows from µL/min to L/min; only one moving part means repeatability and simple cleaning. Use QV variable speed drives with Q series pump heads for steady feeds to slot die, spray or APCVD precursor skids.
  • RHV/RHB low flow modules give instant, linear adjustment at very low rates for R&D or additive tint/colour dosing.
Under the microscope

Alicat — fast, accurate gas mass flow & pressure control for plasma/CVD and vacuum coaters

Common issues

  • Sub sccm to slpm gas control with fast recipe pulsing (APCVD, plasma polymerisation) without overshoot.
  • Vacuum operation & positive shut off to protect chamber integrity and avoid backstreaming
  • Flow errors when back pressure or temperature shifts during pump/purge or throttle valve moves.

How Alicat solves it

  • The Alicat MC and Alicat MCV MFCs use laminar differential pressure sensing with integrated P&T compensation for 50–100ms control response and broad turndown—excellent for fast pulses and low flows on plasma/CVD steps. The MCV adds a helium tight positive shut off (≤1×10⁻⁹ atm cc/s He) and VCR® connections for vacuum coaters.
  • Alicat PC/PCS/PCD pressure controllers stabilise chamber or line pressure (single or dual valve), decoupling flow pressure interactions that cause overshoot and thickness swings.
  • For high pressure or corrosive service (e.g., reactive gases), use MCQ/MCS variants; for ultra low ΔP into sensitive plasma tools, consider MCW (Whisper).

Equilibar — ultra stable back pressure for exhaust, recirculation & mixed phase streams

Common issues

  • Back pressure fluctuations in APCVD exhaust or liquid recirculation loops cause coating non uniformity and cure defects.
  • Conventional spring BPRs show hysteresis and struggle with mixed phase/condensable flows or very low rates.
  • High temperature locations (near hot coaters/ovens) require robust materials and diaphragms.

How Equilibar solves it

  • Dome loaded, multi orifice BPRs provide frictionless, fast control with exceptional resolution at ultra low to high flows—stable even with mixed phases. See General Service (GSD) for ¼″–1″ lines and BD Series for 1½″–4″ high flow headers.
  • For high temperature service, the HT series spans materials/diaphragms to ~700°C; for vacuum distribution, the EVR Series keeps setpoint steady with minimal hysteresis. The Research Series suits benchtop trials.
  • Pair an Alicat PC as the electronic pilot with an Equilibar BPR to achieve closed loop precision from vacuum to positive pressure.

Surface Treatment Application Selection Guide

ApplicationRecommended TechnologiesWhy It Helps
Vacuum coating process (CVD, PVD)Alicat M/MCV Series Meter & ControllerPrecise mass‐flow control and vacuum measurement help maintain uniform coating thickness and process repeatability.
Thermal spray / plasma spray depositionAlicat High Temperature HT Series + CODA Coriolis High-Accuracy Flow MeterHandles high temperature gas flows and accurately measures the carrier and cooling gases for consistent spray deposition.
Flame flash / surface activation of substrateAlicat PC/PC3 Pressure Controller + Research Series Flow MeterHandles high temperature gas flows and accurately measures the carrier and cooling gases for consistent spray deposition.
Flame flash / surface activation of substrateAlicat PC/PC3 Pressure Controller + Research Series Flow MeterAllows control of back-pressure and mass flow for flame jets, ensuring uniform substrate activation before coating.
Plasma polymerisation of textiles/materialsAlicat M Series Meter (Anti-Corrosive) + PCR/PC Pressure ControllerCorrosion-resistant sensors manage reactive plasma gases and pressure, delivering stable polymer layers on complex shapes.
Painting / wet chemical surface treatmentAlicat General Service GSD or BD Series + FMI Variable Speed PumpEnables fine monitoring of solvents and spray air plus pump control for consistent film thickness and surface finish.
Vacuum infiltration or degassing of porous componentsAlicat EVR Series Vacuum Meter + CODA Coriolis ControllerMeasures low vacuums and mass flow of infiltration media, improving impregnation and bond strength of treated surfaces.

FAQs

Use Fluid Metering valveless piston pumps for pulseless feed and an Equilibar BPR to stabilise downstream back pressure; pair with an Alicat PC for closed loop pilot control
Switch to Alicat MC/MCV for 50–100ms response and use a Drastar line regulator upstream to minimise inlet drift into the MFC.
Yes - Equilibar HT/GSD variants handle mixed phases and elevated temperatures with frictionless control.

Customers purchase these products

Alicat M Series Mass Flow Meter - Colour screen Alicat M Series Meter - Standard Model Alicat MB Series of Portable Gas Mass Flow Meters Alicat MB Series Meter - Portable Alicat MC - Gas Mass Flow Controller Alicat MC Series Controller - Standard Controller Alicat MCV - Vacuum Gas Mass Flow Controller Alicat MCV Series Controller - Vacuum Applications Alicat PC3 PCR3 - Single Valve Pressure Controller Alicat PC3 PCR3 - Single Valve Pressure Controller Alicat PCR - Single Valve Pressure Controller - Differential control Alicat PCR - Single Valve Pressure Controller Alicat PC - Pressure Controller Alicat PC - Pressure Controller Research Series back pressure regulator Research Series GSD2 back pressure regulator General Service GSD Industrial Service BD Series Back pressure regulator Industrial Service BD Series High Temperature HT Series back pressure regulator High Temperature HT Series Vacuum EVR Series back pressure regulator Vacuum EVR Series Alicat MQ Series - The High Pressure Gas Mass Flow Meter Alicat MQ Series Meter - High Pressure Alicat MCQ - High Pressure Gas Mass Flow Controller Alicat MCQ Series Controller - High Pressure Alicat CODA Coriolis High Accuracy Flow Meter Alicat CODA Coriolis High Accuracy Flow Meter Alicat CODA Coriolis High Accuracy Flow Controller Alicat CODA Coriolis High Accuracy Flow Controller Drastar DR70 Series pressure regulator Drastar DR70 Series Drastar DR90 Series pressure regulator Drastar DR90 Series Drastar DRA100 Series pressure regulator with gauges Drastar DRA100 Series Drastar DRA200 Series pressure regulator Drastar DRA200 Series Alicat CODA Coriolis Standard Accuracy Flow Meter Alicat CODA Coriolis Standard Accuracy Flow Meter Alicat CODA Coriolis Standard Accuracy Flow Controller Alicat CODA Coriolis Standard Accuracy Flow Controller Alicat SFF - SEMI Standard Gas Mass Flow Controller Alicat SFF Series Controller - Vacuum SEMI Standard FMI RHV Series Low Flow Variable Speed Pump FMI RHV Series Low Flow Variable Speed Pump FMI RHB Series Direct Current Pump FMI RHB Series Direct Current Pump FMI QV Series Variable Speed Pump FMI QV Series Variable Speed Pump

Surface Treatment

Suface Treatment - Why is Precision Flow, Pressure & Dosing important?

Surface processes live or die on stable gas delivery, repeatable back‑pressure, and pulseless liquid dosing. Small deviations trigger coating non‑uniformity, roughness, pin‑holes, over‑spray, poor adhesion or cure issues.

Fluid Metering — valveless, pulseless liquid feeds for primers, binders & precursors

Common issues

  • Pulsation & drift in low rate liquid feeds cause coating thickness variation and streaks.
  • Viscosity changes (temperature/shear) upset mix ratios and flow stability during long runs.
  • Frequent starts/stops & reversals introduce bubbles and dead time in small bore lines.

How Fluid Metering solves it

  • Valveless ceramic piston technology delivers pulseless, drift free micro flows from µL/min to L/min; only one moving part means repeatability and simple cleaning. Use QV variable speed drives with Q series pump heads for steady feeds to slot die, spray or APCVD precursor skids.
  • RHV/RHB low flow modules give instant, linear adjustment at very low rates for R&D or additive tint/colour dosing.
Under the microscope

Alicat — fast, accurate gas mass flow & pressure control for plasma/CVD and vacuum coaters

Common issues

  • Sub sccm to slpm gas control with fast recipe pulsing (APCVD, plasma polymerisation) without overshoot.
  • Vacuum operation & positive shut off to protect chamber integrity and avoid backstreaming
  • Flow errors when back pressure or temperature shifts during pump/purge or throttle valve moves.

How Alicat solves it

  • The Alicat MC and Alicat MCV MFCs use laminar differential pressure sensing with integrated P&T compensation for 50–100ms control response and broad turndown—excellent for fast pulses and low flows on plasma/CVD steps. The MCV adds a helium tight positive shut off (≤1×10⁻⁹ atm cc/s He) and VCR® connections for vacuum coaters.
  • Alicat PC/PCS/PCD pressure controllers stabilise chamber or line pressure (single or dual valve), decoupling flow pressure interactions that cause overshoot and thickness swings.
  • For high pressure or corrosive service (e.g., reactive gases), use MCQ/MCS variants; for ultra low ΔP into sensitive plasma tools, consider MCW (Whisper).

Equilibar — ultra stable back pressure for exhaust, recirculation & mixed phase streams

Common issues

  • Back pressure fluctuations in APCVD exhaust or liquid recirculation loops cause coating non uniformity and cure defects.
  • Conventional spring BPRs show hysteresis and struggle with mixed phase/condensable flows or very low rates.
  • High temperature locations (near hot coaters/ovens) require robust materials and diaphragms.

How Equilibar solves it

  • Dome loaded, multi orifice BPRs provide frictionless, fast control with exceptional resolution at ultra low to high flows—stable even with mixed phases. See General Service (GSD) for ¼″–1″ lines and BD Series for 1½″–4″ high flow headers.
  • For high temperature service, the HT series spans materials/diaphragms to ~700°C; for vacuum distribution, the EVR Series keeps setpoint steady with minimal hysteresis. The Research Series suits benchtop trials.
  • Pair an Alicat PC as the electronic pilot with an Equilibar BPR to achieve closed loop precision from vacuum to positive pressure.

Surface Treatment Application Selection Guide

ApplicationRecommended TechnologiesWhy It Helps
Vacuum coating process (CVD, PVD)Alicat M/MCV Series Meter & ControllerPrecise mass‐flow control and vacuum measurement help maintain uniform coating thickness and process repeatability.
Thermal spray / plasma spray depositionAlicat High Temperature HT Series + CODA Coriolis High-Accuracy Flow MeterHandles high temperature gas flows and accurately measures the carrier and cooling gases for consistent spray deposition.
Flame flash / surface activation of substrateAlicat PC/PC3 Pressure Controller + Research Series Flow MeterHandles high temperature gas flows and accurately measures the carrier and cooling gases for consistent spray deposition.
Flame flash / surface activation of substrateAlicat PC/PC3 Pressure Controller + Research Series Flow MeterAllows control of back-pressure and mass flow for flame jets, ensuring uniform substrate activation before coating.
Plasma polymerisation of textiles/materialsAlicat M Series Meter (Anti-Corrosive) + PCR/PC Pressure ControllerCorrosion-resistant sensors manage reactive plasma gases and pressure, delivering stable polymer layers on complex shapes.
Painting / wet chemical surface treatmentAlicat General Service GSD or BD Series + FMI Variable Speed PumpEnables fine monitoring of solvents and spray air plus pump control for consistent film thickness and surface finish.
Vacuum infiltration or degassing of porous componentsAlicat EVR Series Vacuum Meter + CODA Coriolis ControllerMeasures low vacuums and mass flow of infiltration media, improving impregnation and bond strength of treated surfaces.

FAQs

Use Fluid Metering valveless piston pumps for pulseless feed and an Equilibar BPR to stabilise downstream back pressure; pair with an Alicat PC for closed loop pilot control
Switch to Alicat MC/MCV for 50–100ms response and use a Drastar line regulator upstream to minimise inlet drift into the MFC.
Yes - Equilibar HT/GSD variants handle mixed phases and elevated temperatures with frictionless control.

Customers purchase these products

Alicat M Series Mass Flow Meter - Colour screen Alicat M Series Meter - Standard Model Alicat MB Series of Portable Gas Mass Flow Meters Alicat MB Series Meter - Portable Alicat MC - Gas Mass Flow Controller Alicat MC Series Controller - Standard Controller Alicat MCV - Vacuum Gas Mass Flow Controller Alicat MCV Series Controller - Vacuum Applications Alicat PC3 PCR3 - Single Valve Pressure Controller Alicat PC3 PCR3 - Single Valve Pressure Controller Alicat PCR - Single Valve Pressure Controller - Differential control Alicat PCR - Single Valve Pressure Controller Alicat PC - Pressure Controller Alicat PC - Pressure Controller Research Series back pressure regulator Research Series GSD2 back pressure regulator General Service GSD Industrial Service BD Series Back pressure regulator Industrial Service BD Series High Temperature HT Series back pressure regulator High Temperature HT Series Vacuum EVR Series back pressure regulator Vacuum EVR Series Alicat MQ Series - The High Pressure Gas Mass Flow Meter Alicat MQ Series Meter - High Pressure Alicat MCQ - High Pressure Gas Mass Flow Controller Alicat MCQ Series Controller - High Pressure Alicat CODA Coriolis High Accuracy Flow Meter Alicat CODA Coriolis High Accuracy Flow Meter Alicat CODA Coriolis High Accuracy Flow Controller Alicat CODA Coriolis High Accuracy Flow Controller Drastar DR70 Series pressure regulator Drastar DR70 Series Drastar DR90 Series pressure regulator Drastar DR90 Series Drastar DRA100 Series pressure regulator with gauges Drastar DRA100 Series Drastar DRA200 Series pressure regulator Drastar DRA200 Series Alicat CODA Coriolis Standard Accuracy Flow Meter Alicat CODA Coriolis Standard Accuracy Flow Meter Alicat CODA Coriolis Standard Accuracy Flow Controller Alicat CODA Coriolis Standard Accuracy Flow Controller Alicat SFF - SEMI Standard Gas Mass Flow Controller Alicat SFF Series Controller - Vacuum SEMI Standard FMI RHV Series Low Flow Variable Speed Pump FMI RHV Series Low Flow Variable Speed Pump FMI RHB Series Direct Current Pump FMI RHB Series Direct Current Pump FMI QV Series Variable Speed Pump FMI QV Series Variable Speed Pump