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DLC Coating on Grinder Burrs - Turin DF64V Burrs with DLC Coating - Comparison to Italmill and SSP

DLC Coating on Grinder Burrs - Turin DF64V Burrs with DLC Coating - Comparison to Italmill and SSP

Posted by Barrett Ellis on 16th Mar 2023

What is DLC?

Espresso is a coffee preparation that requires finely ground beans to be brewed under high pressure. The quality of the ground coffee has a significant impact on the taste and consistency of the final espresso. Therefore, the espresso burrs, which are the rotating disks responsible for grinding the coffee beans, play a crucial role in determining the espresso's quality.

To improve the burrs' performance, manufacturers have introduced a new coating called DLC, or Diamond-Like Carbon. DLC is a type of carbon coating that has many desirable properties, such as high hardness, low friction, and resistance to wear and corrosion. These properties make DLC an ideal material for coating espresso burrs.

The DLC coating is applied to the burrs using a process called physical vapor deposition (PVD). In this process, a vacuum chamber is used to evaporate the DLC material, which then condenses onto the surface of the burrs. The thickness of the DLC coating can be controlled precisely, allowing manufacturers to tailor the coating's properties to the specific application.

One of the main benefits of DLC-coated espresso burrs is their increased durability. The DLC coating is incredibly hard, with a surface hardness of up to 3000 HV (Vickers hardness). This hardness makes the burrs less susceptible to wear and chipping, which can lead to inconsistent grinding and a decrease in the espresso's quality over time. As a result, DLC-coated burrs can maintain their sharpness and precision for longer periods, resulting in better-tasting espresso and reduced maintenance costs.

Another advantage of DLC-coated espresso burrs is their reduced friction. The DLC coating has a low coefficient of friction, which means that the burrs require less energy to rotate and grind the coffee beans. Additionally, the reduced friction can help prevent the coffee beans from heating up during grinding, which can negatively affect the espresso's taste.

DLC-coated espresso burrs are also more resistant to corrosion. The DLC coating can prevent moisture and other contaminants from penetrating the surface of the burrs, reducing the risk of rust and other types of corrosion. (less issues when you use RDT).

The manufacturer of the Turin 64mm DLC Coated Espresso Burrs gave the following information:

  • Color: Black
  • Coating Thickness: 2.0 um
  • Friction Coefficient: 0.15
  • Burr Life: 3000kg
  • The DLC coating is not easy to peel off if the burrs become scratched.  The DLC coating is non-metallic, which reduces the electrostatic effect.  Ground coffee does not stick to the burr surface as easily.

In conclusion, DLC coating is a valuable addition to espresso burrs. The coating's high hardness, low friction, self-lubricating, and corrosion resistance make it an ideal material for improving the burrs' performance and longevity. As a result, DLC-coated espresso burrs can help baristas achieve better-tasting espresso while also reducing maintenance costs.

Additional photo comparisons:

Stock, unused Italmill Burrs - Enlarged:

Turin 64mm Espresso Burrs - Enlarged:

SSP HU Burrs - Enlarged:

Italmill on top, DLC on bottom: