Performance Coatings
Performance Coatings
The right coating can make the difference between simply cutting a material and machining it efficiently. NEXGEN PROMAX coatings are matched to the material, temperature and wear conditions your cutting tools face.
Which Coating Should I Choose?
Material is the starting point. The operation, hardness, tool geometry, heat and cutting strategy can further influence the final choice.
Steels & General Machining
A tough, wear-resistant coating for a broad range of ferrous applications and difficult-to-machine materials.
A-PROMAX →Hardened Steels & High-Temp Alloys
Extremely hard and wear resistant for hard machining, demanding alloys and high-temperature cutting environments.
T-PROMAX →Aluminum & Non-Ferrous
Advanced carbon-based coating technology for ultra-sharp cutting edges, low material adhesion and high-precision machining.
X-PROMAX →Three Coatings. Different Strengths.
A-PROMAX
Our versatile coating option. Designed to combine toughness, heat resistance and strong wear performance across a broad range of machining applications.
T-PROMAX
Our hardest PROMAX option for demanding applications. Built around high hardness, wear resistance, surface quality and hard-machining performance.
X-PROMAX
Our premium non-ferrous solution uses advanced carbon-based DLC technology to maintain sharp cutting edges, minimize sticking and support high-precision machining.
Advanced DLC Performance
X-PROMAX uses an advanced ta-C carbon coating technology developed for demanding non-ferrous applications where cutting-edge sharpness, smoothness, wear resistance and precision matter.
PROMAX Specifications
Compare the core coating characteristics and select the performance profile that best fits the machining application.
A-PROMAX
- Color: Grey / Blue Grey
- Nano-Hardness: 36–38 GPa
- Friction Coefficient: 0.5
- Coating Thickness: 1–5 µm
- Max Service Temperature: 900°C / approx. 1650°F
- Coating Process Temperature: 400–500°C
- Key Strength: Wear resistance, toughness and broad application range
T-PROMAX
- Color: Copper / Bronze
- Nano-Hardness: 42–44 GPa
- Friction Coefficient: 0.4
- Coating Thickness: 1–4 µm
- Max Service Temperature: 900°C / approx. 1650°F
- Coating Process Temperature: 450–500°C
- Key Strength: Extreme hardness, wear resistance and high surface quality
X-PROMAX
- Coating Material: ta-C carbon
- Color: Rainbow / Rainbow Black
- Hardness: > 65 GPa
- Dry Friction Coefficient: < 0.10 vs. steel
- Max Service Temperature: > 500°C / > 932°F
- Process Temperature: < 150°C
- Key Strength: Ultra-sharp cutting edges, superior smoothness and minimal material adhesion
PROMAX Coating Guide
Use this as a starting point. Material, hardness, operation, cutting strategy and tool geometry can all influence the final recommendation.
| Characteristic | A-PROMAX | T-PROMAX | X-PROMAX DLC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Starting Point | Broad ferrous and difficult machining applications | Hard machining, hardened steels and demanding alloys | Aluminum and high-performance non-ferrous machining |
| Coating Technology | AlCrTiN-based | Nanocomposite | ta-C carbon / DLC technology |
| Color | Grey / Blue Grey | Copper / Bronze | Rainbow / Rainbow Black |
| Hardness | 36–38 GPa | 42–44 GPa | > 65 GPa |
| Coefficient of Friction | 0.5 | 0.4 | < 0.10 dry vs. steel |
| Coating Thickness | 1–5 µm | 1–4 µm | Ultra-thin |
| Max Service Temperature | 900°C / ~1650°F | 900°C / approx. 1650°F | >500°C / >932°F |
| Key Advantage | Tough, wear-resistant, versatile performance | Extreme hardness and hard-machining performance | Ultra-low friction, sharp edges and minimal material adhesion |
Why PROMAX Coatings
NEXGEN applies PROMAX coatings in-house, with pre- and post-process treatments done onsite.
- Increased tool life
- Increased wear resistance
- Improved performance
- Improved surface finishes
- Added lubricity
- Lower tool costs
Shop by coating: A-ProMAX tools · T-ProMAX tools · X-ProMAX tools
Optional coatings: ZrN and Diamond. Call for price and availability.
Coating Questions
Which NEXGEN coating is best for aluminum?
X-ProMAX. It uses ta-C diamond-like carbon (DLC) technology for sharp cutting edges, low friction, and reduced material adhesion in aluminum and non-ferrous machining.
Which coating should I use for hardened steel?
T-ProMAX is NEXGEN's hardest PROMAX coating and is built for hard machining of hardened steels, stainless steels, and superalloys, including finishing work at very high cutting temperatures.
What is A-ProMAX used for?
A-ProMAX is the versatile AlCrTiN-based option for a broad range of ferrous applications, including unalloyed and hardened steels, superalloys, and difficult-to-machine materials.
Is X-ProMAX a DLC coating?
Yes. X-ProMAX is a tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) diamond-like carbon coating.
Are NEXGEN coatings applied in-house?
Yes. PROMAX coatings are applied in-house, and coating hardness, thickness, and post-polish results are inspected as part of NEXGEN's quality process.
Are reconditioned tools recoated?
Yes. Originally coated NEXGEN tools are recoated after reconditioning. See the tool reconditioning program.
Not sure which PROMAX coating fits your application?
Tell NEXI what you're machining, the operation, tool diameter and machining conditions to get a starting recommendation for the right NEXGEN tooling and coating combination.
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