Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD)
Advanced thin-film surface coatings that improve the performance of medical devices and in vitro diagnostic (IVD) laboratory consumables.
Leveraging expertise in plasma science, surface chemistry, biomimetic engineering, and precision process development, we create custom coating solutions that solve complex surface challenges while preserving the integrity and dimensions of the underlying component.
Our coatings are designed to enhance functionality by modifying only the surface of a material. This results in improved lubricity, wettability, adhesion, barrier properties, chemical resistance, and durability without altering the bulk properties of the device or consumable.
Engineering Better Surfaces
Every coating begins with understanding the application. We works closely with customers to identify the surface properties required for product success before developing a coating process tailored to those performance goals.
Using advanced plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), plasma surface activation, and proprietary thin-film deposition technologies, we precisely engineer nano-thin coatings on plastics, metals, glass, ceramics, elastomers, and other specialty materials. These scalable processes provide exceptional coating uniformity and repeatability while supporting everything from early-stage development through full-scale manufacturing.
Whether customers require contract coating services or a complete production coating system installed within their own facility, we deliver the equipment, process development, validation support, training, and technical expertise necessary for long-term manufacturing success.
Surface Coating Solutions
Every application has unique surface requirements. We develop customized coatings engineered around the function of the product.
- Lubricious Coatings — Reduce friction and improve maneuverability for catheters, guidewires, and minimally invasive devices.
- Hydrophilic Coatings — Promote rapid wetting and fluid movement for diagnostic devices, laboratory consumables, and medical components.
- Hydrophobic Coatings — Repel water and control surface interactions where moisture resistance is critical.
- Nonstick Coatings — Minimize adhesion of proteins, biological materials, process residues, and other contaminants.
- Barrier Coatings — Protect sensitive substrates from moisture, chemicals, oxidation, and environmental exposure while improving durability.
- Antimicrobial Coatings — Provide functional surfaces designed to help reduce microbial contamination in appropriate applications.
- Identification (ID) Coatings — Enable visual identification, product differentiation, and manufacturing traceability through durable colored or functional identification coatings.
- Functional Nano-Thin Coatings — Ultra-thin engineered films that modify surface chemistry while maintaining critical component dimensions and tolerances.
- Custom Functional Coatings — Application-specific coatings developed to deliver unique combinations of surface performance based on customer requirements.
The Thermech Advantage
We serve as a collaborative engineering partner throughout the product development lifecycle. Rather than adapting products to fit existing coating technologies, we engineer each coating process around the unique requirements of your application to ensure superior performance.
This collaborative approach includes:
- Surface engineering consultation
- Material and coating selection
- Proof-of-concept development
- Prototype coating
- Process optimization
- Scale-up for manufacturing
- Ongoing technical service
- Technology transfer
- Installation and operator training
- Contract coating services
By partnering throughout development and commercialization, we help customers reduce technical risk, accelerate product development, improve manufacturing consistency, and bring differentiated products to market more efficiently.
Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition
Precision coatings for your greatest challenges.
Industries we Serve
Better Surfaces. Better Products.
By combining advanced plasma technologies, precision thin-film engineering, and a collaborative development process, we help medical device and IVD manufacturers solve complex surface challenges with customized coating solutions. From concept through commercialization, we partner with customers to improve product performance.
Medical Devices
Medical devices demand surfaces that perform reliably under challenging clinical conditions. We develop custom coatings that help manufacturers reduce friction, improve lubricity, enhance durability, optimize biocompatibility, control fluid interactions, and protect critical components. We can achieve this while maintaining tight dimensional tolerances required for modern medical devices.
We develop coatings for a wide range of medical devices, including:
- Catheters
- Guidewires
- Introducers
- Needles
- Cannulas
- Stents
- Delivery systems
- Surgical instruments
- Endoscopic devices
- Minimally invasive surgical devices
- Implantable components
- Orthopedic devices
- Cardiovascular devices
- Neurovascular devices
- Urological devices
- Drug delivery systems
- Diagnostic devices
- Medical tubing
- Plastic and elastomeric components
- Precision molded medical components
In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) & Laboratory Consumables
Surface performance is critical to obtaining accurate, reproducible diagnostic results. We engineer coatings that improve sample handling, optimize fluid movement, reduce nonspecific binding, enhance reagent compatibility, and increase consistency across laboratory workflows.
Coatings are developed for a broad range of IVD and laboratory consumables, including:
- Microplates
- PCR plates
- PCR tubes
- Pipette tips
- Test tubes
- Centrifuge tubes
- Microfluidic devices
- Microscope slides
- Cell culture plates
- Cell culture flasks
- Laboratory glassware
- Injection-molded laboratory consumables
- Membranes
- Filters
- Diagnostic cartridges
- Sample collection devices
- Biosensor components
- Point-of-care diagnostic consumables