ColoradoKote
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
Three Stages of AM Post-Processing
Material-specific protocols protect fine AM features while transforming surface finish from prototype to production grade.
Contaminant Removal Without Damage
Ultrasonic cleaning removes residual powder, support material, and machining residues from AM parts. Frequency and solution chemistry are matched to the substrate material. Polymer parts receive gentle treatment to preserve thin walls and fine features.
Thin-Film Application Preserves Tolerances
Cerakote® is applied at 0.5-2 mils, reducing surface roughness from Ra 8-15 micrometers to below 3 micrometers. Material-specific blast pressures create adhesion profiles without dimensional distortion on thin-walled geometries.
Dimensional Confirmation by CMM
Post-coating CMM measurement verifies dimensional tolerances remain within ±0.0002 inches. Surface roughness readings are documented per customer requirements. A full Certificate of Conformance accompanies every shipment.
The AM Post-Processing Workflow
Additive manufacturing parts arrive with inherent surface roughness and limited environmental resistance. ColoradoKote addresses both challenges with a thin-film ceramic coating that improves finish quality while maintaining the dimensional accuracy that makes AM viable for production applications.
What Our AM Processing Delivers
Every AM part receives incoming dimensional verification, material-specific processing, and post-coating measurement.
Surface Roughness After Coating
Raw AM parts arrive with Ra 8-15 micrometers on polymer substrates. Cerakote® post-processing reduces roughness below 3 micrometers, eliminating visible layer lines while adding corrosion and wear protection in a single operation.
AM Parts Per Week Capacity
Dedicated equipment and material-specific protocols maintain consistent throughput across polymer and metal AM substrates. Parts move through post-processing on schedule without waiting behind traditional machined components.
Dimensional Tolerance Maintained
Cerakote® 0.5-2 mil thickness preserves tight tolerances that make AM valuable for production parts. Threaded features, press-fit interfaces, and close clearances retain functional accuracy after coating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
MIL-DTL-5541 Type I chemical conversion coating delivers 168-240+ hours of salt spray resistance per ASTM B117, while Type II non-chromate conversion provides 96-168+ hours. These are standalone results without any topcoat. When your application demands maximum corrosion protection, pairing conversion coating with Cerakote extends salt spray resistance to 3,000 hours (ASTM B117) in a total coating thickness of just 0.5-2 mils.
Yes. Raw AM parts lack the surface hardness, chemical resistance, and corrosion protection that agricultural field conditions demand. Cerakote transforms AM builds with 4,000 cycles per mil abrasion resistance for soil contact, chemical resistance against fertilizers and herbicides, and corrosion protection exceeding 3,000 hours salt spray. Our 40-60 PSI blasting preserves complex AM geometries like optimized seed metering components and custom nozzle designs that AM enables for precision agriculture applications.
Cerakote applies at 0.5-2.0 mils (12.7-50.8 microns), controlled by in-process DFT gauge measurements. This thin-film application preserves dimensional tolerances on precision components, interference-fit fasteners, and close-tolerance assemblies. By comparison, powder coating adds 4-6 mils and frequently causes dimensional issues requiring post-coating machining. We mask threaded holes, bearing surfaces, and critical datum features to maintain your specified dimensions exactly.
Medical instruments and device housings have tight tolerances for proper function, sterile seal integrity, and assembly fit. Cerakote's 0.5 to 2 mil application preserves these dimensions where thicker coatings would interfere. This is particularly critical for implantable device housings, endoscopic instrument shafts, and robotic surgery components where micron-level dimensional accuracy determines performance and patient safety.
Standard turnaround is 14 days from receipt of parts. For race prep or show deadlines, 3-day and 7-day expedited options are available. Automotive projects follow the same AS9100 and ISO 9001 process controls as our aerospace work, meaning your parts receive documented surface preparation, application, and inspection regardless of whether they are going on a race car or an aircraft.
Ready to Finish Your AM Parts
Send your part specifications and material details. Receive a quote with lead time and processing parameters for your additive manufacturing application.