Surface modification and coating technologies are widely used to augment product surface functions and improve performance of components and systems. With the advancement in materials and manufacturing process, surface technology plays a crucial role in realising new engineering breakthroughs and performance enhancements in various fields.

STG focuses on hybrid tribological composite and multi-functional coatings, surface modification, and nano-structures through materials synthesis, coating design, process innovation, and customisation for a wide range of applications.

The group carries out collaborative research with academic institutions and co-develops processes and products with companies, while providing technology transfer and training to the manufacturing industry.

SUPERB COVERAGE

STGSurface Technology Group

Target Industries

Vapour Deposition• Coating design • Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD)• Hard and super hard coatings• Dry-lubricant and anti-stick coatings• Nano-composite coatings for high

temperature wear and corrosion protection

• Decorative coatings• Plasma-based surface modification

Functional Coating• Particle synthesis and encapsulation• Sol-gel chemistry formulation for:

- Scratch-resistance and decoration- Anti-corrosion- Anti-stick- Easy-to-clean/Anti-fingerprint- Anti-microbial, anti-fouling

- Bioactive/biocompatible- Transparent and conductive

• Sol-gel coating processing

Electrochemical Process• Materials deposition

- Rapid electrodeposition of metals and composite - Metallisation of non-conductive materials by electroless plating - Precision electroforming

• Materials conversion - Anodising of aluminium and magnesium alloys - Corrosion protection - Oxide electro/photo catalyst

• Micro/nano structuring - Photo-chemical etching - 3D cicuitry fabrication

Aerospace

Precision Engineering

Oil & GasAutomotive

Alternative Energy

Biomedical and Healthcare

Marine

Construction

Construction

Optical and Electronics

Core Competencies

Vapour Deposition• Super tough carbon nanocomposite coating• Nanocomposite wear-resistant coatings for precision

engineering tools• Dry-lubricating hard coatings• Decorative PVD coatings

Electrochemical Process• High speed deposition of Hi-P Ni alloy coatings• Nickel matrix dry lubricant composite coatings• Metallisation of high performance polymer composites• Anti-corrosion of Magnesium alloys• Stress-free nickel electroforming

Functional Coating• Decorative and protective sol-gel coating for Al-alloys• Anti-corrosion sol-gel coating for Al and stainless steel• Slip-resistant coating for glass• Easy-to-clean coating for metal and polymer• Hydrophobic coating for textiles• Hydrophobic or superhydrophilic coating for polymers

and glass• Anti-microbial anti-fouling coatings• Solar responsive coatings• Automatic synthesis of silver nanowires and nano-

particles, and other nanomaterials

• Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (Singapore)• Institute of Charles Gerhardt (France)• Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (Singapore)• Institute of High Performance Computing (Singapore)• Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (Singapore)• Koszalin University of Technology (Poland)• Manchester University (UK)• Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)• National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and

Technology (Japan)• National University of Singapore (Singapore)• Swerea KIMAB (Sweden)• Technical University of Munich (Germany)• Tohoku University (Japan)• University of Cambridge (UK)• University of Oxford (UK)

High Phosphorus Nickel Alloy Coatings by Electrolytic Plating for Diamond TurningA rapid electrodeposition technology has been industrialised to deposit thick high phosphorous nickel coatings for diamond turning optical surface.Moveon Technologies, a specialist in design and manufacturing of precision polymer optics, benefited from:

• Simplified process flow (reduced 9 to 6 steps)• Increased deposition rate from 10µm/hour to 60 µm/hour• Increased phosphorous content from 12 to 14.5wt%• Extended diamond cutter life due to higher phosphorus content• Reduced lead-time from 2 weeks to 3 days

Metallisation of High Performance Polymer Composite for Electronic DevicesAn etching-free activation process has been developed for high quality metallisation of high-performance carbon-reinforced polymer to fabricate large volume, lightweight Hard Disk Drive components, using green manufacturing process, with excellent adhesion, full metal coverage, anti-particle, and high corrosion resistance. Unisteel Technology Limited is a manufacturer of precision engineered components.

Moveon engaged SIMTech on the development of a cost effective process to replace Electroless Nickel Plating, to transfer the technology developed and realising Moveon’s vision of self sufficiency and control in optical inserts fabrication

Unisteel would like to witness more of such successful collaborative projects so that both parties enjoy the benefits of this WIN-WIN collaborative relationship

Mr Jordan Chee, CEO, Moveon Technologies

Mr Stanley Koh, COO, Unisteel Technology Limited

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Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology 2 Fusionopolis Way, #08-04, Innovis, Singapore 138634Tel: +65 6501 1800 | Fax: +65 6250 3659Email: ido@SIMTech.a-star.edu.sg | Web: www.a-star.edu.sg/SIMTech

For enquiries, please contact:Dr Huang Zhaohong Group Manager (STG) Email: zhhuang@SIMTech.a-star.edu.sg

03/2019

SUCCESS STORIES

Technologies Available for Transfer Research Partners