You May Also Like ..
The new technology from Benelli Best in one word it already says it all. Best, represents the best of the "coating" worldwide. But let's go in order and analyze this new treatment that makes the rods of the Raphael Be Diamond: on this semi-automatic the barrels are in fact assembled as precious and resistant as a diamond. Best is the acronym of Benelli Surface Treatment literally from the English Benelli surface treatment. Best is a new coating that ennobles the barrel, protecting it from corrosion, abrasion, wear and external agents. Thanks to this treatment, the rods will no longer need maintenance and oiling: Best is beauty, pleasure and practicality.
With BE ST everything will change, Benelli has introduced a new method of treating the barrels, for now an exclusive Benelli patent; it is used thanks to processing machines present in the Urbino factory and customized for them. In a few steps we will show you what BEST is.
BE ST is a protective coating that respects the environment
The process BE ST makes use of a highly innovative hybrid technology, developed in recent years and still under development, to create a coating that has characteristics similar to a diamond: very high hardness, precious from the external point of view and resistant to corrosion, without the need maintenance with protective oil. BE ST is a completely ecological technology, as it does not produce wastewater or emissions harmful to the environment, it represents one of the processes with the lowest environmental impact chosen at European level to replace traditional coatings, in fact, emissions and waste are practically zero. .
Ion sources, plasma and carbon: the "Be Diamond recipe"
A section of the plant in Urbino uses state-of-the-art solid-state ion sources, which allow the deposition of compact layers without the point defects (potential corrosive triggers) characteristic of other technologies in use. The technology is well represented in the video tutorials you see on Benelli's youtube channel, we recommend watching it to fully understand the process. Another section of the plant uses a radiofrequency plasma source capable of dissociating the gaseous precursors that are introduced into the chamber, in order to create the conditions for their deposition.
Benelli's BE ST process uses a liquid precursor, covered by trade secret, which is vaporized before entering the chamber.
The liquid precursor, also called diamantoid, is the key to creating an outer layer that has characteristics similar to diamond, as it contains hydrocarbon chains in which carbon forms sp3-type bonds, characteristic of diamond.
Durable and resistant, it advances over time but does not age.
The deposited layer is formed by a carbon and hydrogen lattice, has an amorphous microstructure, is chemically inert and very hard, while the steel substrate has a crystalline microstructure, is chemically reactive and relatively soft. The coating applied directly on the steel therefore has a low adhesion, due to the low chemical-physical affinity with the substrate: for this reason an intermediate layer is necessary with characteristics that gradually transform from metallic to intermetallic, similar to the properties of high hardness, toughness, resistance to heat, wear and corrosion that diamond has. In addition to the deposition, the work cycle also includes the phases of pre e post treatment. A very complex production process, which took years of research and fine-tuning: its difficulty has discouraged many but not Benelli technicians.
Resistant and “champion” in the most extreme environments.
The process was carried out through a series of effective field tests in the most extreme environments, in various parts of the world, where the loads of salinity and humidity generate a highly corrosive action, environments not difficult to encounter in a hunting habitat. The tests lasted 3 years, with amazing results: in the end the rods were still as good as new!
