ColoradoKote
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
Three Stages of Precision Ultrasonic Cleaning
Each stage is controlled, documented, and verified under AS9100 quality protocols.
Cleaning solution chemistry is matched to the substrate material and contamination type. Alkaline solutions for aluminum, neutral formulations for titanium to prevent hydrogen embrittlement, and polymer-safe solutions for additive manufacturing parts. Temperature and concentration are set to documented parameters.
Parts are submerged in heated cleaning solution. A 40 kHz transducer generates millions of microscopic cavitation bubbles that implode against every surface, penetrating blind holes, internal threads, lattice structures, and complex geometries that manual cleaning cannot reach.
Water-break testing confirms DI water sheets uniformly with zero beading. White-glove inspection checks for particulate transfer. For critical aerospace applications, dyne pen testing measures surface energy. Parts that fail any verification step are re-cleaned before release.
How the Ultrasonic Cleaning Process Works
40 kHz ultrasonic cavitation generates millions of imploding bubbles that strip oils, machining fluids, and particulates from blind holes, threads, and complex geometries. Available as standalone precision cleaning or integrated surface preparation before Cerakote® coating.
Verified Cleanliness for Critical Components
Every cleaning batch is documented with solution parameters, cycle data, and verification results under AS9100 controls.
Cavitation Frequency
Industrial-grade ultrasonic transducers tuned for optimal contaminant removal across metals, polymers, and composites.
Multi-Method Verification
Water-break testing, white-glove inspection, and dyne pen testing confirm parts meet cleanliness specification before release.
Solution Temperature
Heated cleaning solutions matched to substrate material for maximum contaminant removal without surface damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
Yes. Raw AM parts typically exhibit Ra 8-15 micrometers depending on build orientation and technology. Controlled blasting at 40-60 PSI knocks down the highest peaks and partially trapped powder, creating a more uniform surface for coating. When followed by Cerakote application, the combined process brings surface roughness below 3 micrometers. This makes blasting plus coating the most effective surface finishing path for production AM parts.
We use controlled media blasting at 40 to 60 PSI, lower than our standard 80 to 100 PSI range, to remove support marks and reduce surface roughness on AM parts without compromising dimensional accuracy. For metal AM parts, we follow blasting with passivation or chemical conversion as appropriate for the substrate. This multi-step preparation ensures Cerakote achieves full adhesion and a uniform finish.
Ultrasonic cleaning and sandblasting serve different purposes and typically complement each other in the coating preparation sequence. Ultrasonic cleaning removes chemical and organic contaminants (oils, fluids, films) from the substrate. Sandblasting creates the mechanical anchor profile for coating adhesion. For the highest coating performance, we use ultrasonic cleaning first to remove contaminants, followed by sandblasting for surface profile, then proceed to coating application. The sequence matters.
We offer 14-day standard turnaround for passivation, with 7-day and 3-day expedited options to match aerospace production timelines. Combined with our chemical conversion coating for aluminum parts, we can process mixed-material aerospace assemblies in a single facility. Over 20,000 parts processed with zero quality issues ensures your production schedule stays on track.
Yes. Medical devices often incorporate elastomeric seals, grips, and dampening elements bonded to metal substrates. Polymer coating bridges the rubber-to-metal transition zone, providing corrosion protection on the metal while maintaining adhesion at the interface where differential thermal expansion creates stress. Rigid coatings crack at these transitions, exposing the substrate to sterilization chemicals and body fluids. Polymer coating accommodates the movement at these interfaces throughout the device service life.
Get Contamination-Free Surfaces
Tell us about your parts, substrate material, and contamination type. We respond within 24 business hours.