Corrosion Protection
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
What Happens When Corrosion Goes Unchecked
Unprotected metal components face relentless environmental attack. Moisture, salt spray, de-icing chemicals, hydraulic fluids, and temperature cycling break down surfaces over time. The damage is cumulative, and by the time it is visible, the part has already compromised system integrity.
The real cost of corrosion
- Part replacement: Failed components require emergency procurement, disrupting production schedules and triggering expedite fees that exceed the original part cost
- Downtime: Equipment pulled from service for inspection, repair, or replacement costs thousands per hour in aerospace and defense applications
- Safety risk: Corroded structural components compromise system integrity and can trigger mandatory grounding events or field recalls
- Audit failures: Non-conforming parts generate quality escapes, customer notifications, and costly corrective action investigations
These costs compound across production runs. A single unprotected batch can cascade into weeks of disruption, eroding customer confidence and threatening long-term contracts.
How Cerakote® Ceramic Coating Stops Corrosion at the Source
Cerakote® creates a molecular bond with the substrate, forming a barrier that resists corrosion at the chemical level. Unlike paint or plating that sits on the surface, Cerakote integrates with the metal.
Why Cerakote Outperforms Alternative Coatings
Anodizing provides 336-1,000 hours of salt spray resistance and works only on aluminum. Powder coating adds 4-6 mils of thickness, causing dimensional interference. Chrome plating faces increasing regulatory restriction. Cerakote delivers 3,000 hours across all metals, polymers, and composites at 0.5-2 mils, with zero hazardous waste.
Independent Competitor Comparison
In third-party ASTM B117 salt spray testing, Cerakote® achieved 3,000 hours of corrosion resistance. Competitor Xylan coating was pulled at 1,871 hours due to excessive corrosion.
The Numbers Behind Our Corrosion Protection
| Performance Metric | Result | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Salt Spray Resistance | 3,000 hours | ASTM B117 |
| Pencil Hardness | 9H (maximum) | ASTM D3363 |
| Impact Strength | 160/160 in-lbs | ASTM D2794 |
| Taber Abrasion | 4,000 cycles/mil | ASTM D4060 |
| Coating Thickness | 0.5-2.0 mils | DFT Measurement |
| Flammability | Third-party tested per Cerakote lab reports | FAR 25.853 |
Industries That Depend on Corrosion Protection
Ceramic coating corrosion protection for components across these industries.
Weight Reduction for Oil and Gas Equipment
Thick coatings add mass to equipment transported to remote wellsites and offshore platforms. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils saves 200-400g per part versus powder coating. ISO 9001 certified.
Weight Reduction for Medical Device Components
Surgical instruments must be light enough for hours of precise use. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils saves 200-400g per part versus powder coating without compromising protection. ISO 9001 certified.
Weight Reduction for Maritime Equipment
Heavy coatings add mass to marine hardware that affects vessel performance and handling. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils saves 200-400g per part versus powder coating. ISO 9001 certified.
Weight Reduction for Industrial OEM Components
Thick coatings add unnecessary mass to engineered equipment. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils delivers 200-400g savings per part versus powder coating while preserving tolerances. ISO 9001 certified.
Weight Reduction for Defense and Tactical Equipment
Tactical systems carry weight penalties from thick coatings that reduce mobility and increase operator fatigue. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils saves 200-400g per part. ITAR registered, AS9100 certified.
Weight Reduction for Automotive R&D Prototypes
Every 100 lbs of EV mass costs 2-3 percent range. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils saves 200-400g per part versus powder coating, protecting prototypes without adding mass. ISO 9001 certified.
Weight Reduction for Agriculture Equipment
Heavy coatings add mass to field equipment that operators must handle and transport. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils saves 200-400g per part versus powder coating. ISO 9001 certified.
Weight Reduction for Aerospace Components
Thick coatings add avoidable weight to lightweighted airframe structures. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils delivers 200-400g savings per part versus powder coating. AS9100-certified with full traceability.
How We Deliver Corrosion Protection
AS9100-certified Cerakote® application with documented verification.
High-velocity application
Atomized coating reaches every surface and crevice.
Complete submersion coating
Total coverage for complex geometries and internal passages.
Precision hand application
Controlled placement for selective protection on assemblies.
Charged particle deposition
Uniform thickness with minimal overspray and material waste.
Aerospace fasteners tested in the field
A military contractor needed corrosion resistance on landing gear fasteners exposed to salt spray and thermal cycling. ColoradoKote's ceramic coating passed 5,000+ hours of ASTM B117 testing with zero red rust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
Cerakote provides 9H pencil hardness and 4,000 cycles per mil abrasion resistance, protecting instrument surfaces through thousands of sterilization cycles and repeated clinical use. The coating's chemical resistance withstands autoclave temperatures and enzymatic cleaning solutions without degradation. At 0.5 to 2 mils thickness, Cerakote preserves the precise tolerances surgical instruments require for proper function.
Marine hardware develops salt crystal deposits, biological growth residue, and corrosion products in every crevice and internal feature. Ultrasonic cavitation dissolves and removes these contaminants from complex geometries that manual cleaning cannot reach. For maritime components being recoated, thorough ultrasonic cleaning removes all chloride contamination that would otherwise initiate corrosion under the new coating. This cleaning step is essential for achieving full coating life on marine hardware.
Yes. We routinely execute non-disclosure agreements for customers with proprietary designs, controlled technical data, or confidential specifications. Our ITAR registration demonstrates our facility's capability to handle controlled information, and we extend the same confidentiality discipline to all customer relationships. Contact us to initiate an NDA before shipping proprietary components or specifications.
Aerospace structures, particularly skin panels, flexible joints, and vibration-isolated components, need coatings that move with the substrate without cracking. Polymer coatings maintain adhesion and integrity through repeated flex and vibration cycles that would crack rigid coatings. For aerospace applications, we apply polymer coatings under AS9100 controls with the same documentation rigor as Cerakote. Where both flexibility and surface hardness are needed, we recommend a combined polymer-Cerakote system.
ColoradoKote is ITAR registered and coats weapons system components, electronics housings, vehicle-mounted hardware, and field-deployed equipment for defense programs. Our facility in Johnstown, CO maintains the security protocols and documentation controls required for controlled technical data. We offer low-visibility finishes in earth tones, flat blacks, and custom tactical colors matched to program specifications.
Get Corrosion Protection That Lasts
Send us your parts list, material specifications, and environmental exposure conditions. We respond within 24 hours.