AM Post-Processing
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
How AM Post-Processing Works at ColoradoKote
Additive manufactured parts arrive with rough surfaces (Ra 8-15μm) and support material residue. ColoradoKote’s post-processing sequence, ultrasonic cleaning, reduced-pressure blasting at 40-60 PSI, and Cerakote application at 0.5-2 mils, transforms raw AM output into production-ready components with surface finishes below Ra 3μm.
What Sets Us Apart
ColoradoKote processes SLS PA12/PA11, MJF, and metal AM substrates including Ti-6Al-4V, AlSi10Mg, and 316L stainless steel. We handle 200+ parts per week with blast parameters specifically calibrated for each AM process and material. Reduced 40-60 PSI blasting preserves lattice structures and thin walls that standard 80-100 PSI treatment would damage.
Aerospace Standards
Every AM post-processing batch is documented with incoming surface roughness measurements, blast media and pressure parameters, coating thickness verification, and final surface finish readings under AS9100 controls. Material traceability links your AM build data to our finishing records, providing the complete part history aerospace quality systems require.
What AM Post-Processing Delivers for Your Parts
AM delivers design freedom, but surface finish limits end-use applications. Post-processing closes the gap between prototype and production.
Ra 8-15μm to Below Ra 3μm
Raw AM surfaces carry layer lines, partially sintered powder, and support material artifacts that prevent direct use in production assemblies. Our post-processing sequence reduces surface roughness by 70-80%, delivering functional surfaces that meet dimensional and cosmetic requirements for end-use aerospace and defense components.
Full Cerakote Performance on AM Parts
Properly prepared AM substrates receive the same Cerakote ceramic coating applied to conventionally machined parts: 0.5-2 mils, 3,000+ hours salt spray resistance, and 9H hardness. AM-specific surface preparation ensures coating adhesion matches conventional substrate performance without compromising part geometry.
Polymer and Metal AM Coverage
SLS nylon (PA12/PA11), MJF polymer, titanium (Ti-6Al-4V), aluminum (AlSi10Mg), and stainless steel (316L) all receive material-specific post-processing protocols. One facility handles your full range of AM materials with AS9100 documentation, eliminating the need to split AM finishing across multiple vendors.
Technical Specifications for AM Post-Processing Applications
| Specification | Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Roughness (Polymer AM, Before) | Ra 6-15µm | Stylus Profilometer |
| Surface Roughness (Metal AM, Before) | Ra 8-15µm | Stylus Profilometer |
| Surface Roughness (After Cerakote) | Ra <3µm | Stylus Profilometer |
| Coating Thickness | 0.5-2.0 mils | ASTM B499 (DFT) |
| Dimensional Tolerance Maintained | ±0.005" | CMM Measurement |
| Corrosion Resistance (Metal AM) | 3,000+ hours | ASTM B117 Salt Spray |
| Pencil Hardness | 8H-9H | ASTM D3363 |
| Adhesion Strength | 5B rating | ASTM D3359 Cross-Cut |
| Color Options | 100+ Cerakote colors | Visual / Spectrophotometer |
| Color Consistency | Delta E 1.5 | Spectrophotometer |
| Polymer AM Substrates | PA12, PA11, MJF nylon | Material Verification |
| Metal AM Substrates | Ti-6Al-4V, AlSi10Mg, Inconel, 316L | Material Verification |
| Capacity | 200 parts/week | Production Tracking |
| Standard Lead Time | 14-day standard (3- or 7-day expedited available) | Scheduling |
Certifications: AS9100 | ISO 9001 | ITAR | Cerakote Advanced Applicator
AM parts received, verified, and logged for traceability
Parts arrive with build material and process documentation (SLS, MJF, PBF-LB). We verify quantities against your purchase order, photograph incoming condition, and record build orientation data. Each lot receives a unique tracking number. AS9100 chain of custody begins at receiving and follows every part through shipment.
Powder removal and surface decontamination
Unfused powder particles trapped in surface pores compromise coating adhesion. Polymer AM parts receive compressed air blasting to clear embedded powder. Metal AM parts undergo ultrasonic cleaning with specialized media to remove partially sintered particles. Solvent degreasing eliminates handling oils. Magnified inspection confirms complete powder removal before the next step.
Surface is cleaned and made ready for coating
Degreasing, cleaning, and light abrasion remove contaminants and create the ideal surface for adhesion. This step determines coating quality.
Material-specific surface profiling at controlled pressure
Surface preparation determines coating performance. PA12 and MJF nylon receive fine glass bead blasting at 40-50 PSI to create adhesion profile without damaging thin walls. Ti-6Al-4V and metal AM substrates receive aluminum oxide blasting at 50-60 PSI with extra attention to support structure contact areas. Post-blast CMM measurement verifies dimensional tolerances remain within plus or minus 0.005 inches.
Ceramic coating is applied in controlled layers
We apply the coating using precision equipment, monitoring thickness and coverage. Each layer cures before the next is applied, building a durable finish.
Cerakote applied in calibrated thin-film layers
Coating thickness is matched to your tolerance budget. Tight-tolerance parts (plus or minus 0.005 inches) receive 0.5-1.0 mil application. Cosmetic-priority parts receive up to 2.0 mils for maximum surface smoothing. Multiple thin coats prevent buildup and sagging on complex AM geometries. Climate-controlled spray booth monitors temperature and humidity throughout application.
Coating hardens and bonds to the substrate
The coating cures under controlled temperature and humidity. We don't rush this phase. Full cure strength takes time, and we give it that time.
Multi-point verification confirms finish and tolerances
Every AM part undergoes coating thickness measurement (DFT gauge), adhesion testing (ASTM D3359), surface roughness verification (stylus profilometer, target Ra below 3 micrometers), and color consistency check (spectrophotometer, Delta E 1.5 or below). CMM dimensional verification confirms tolerance maintenance. Certificate of Conformance documents all measurements and ships with your parts.
Every part is measured and tested before shipment
We measure coating thickness, check for defects, and verify specifications. Documentation is prepared for your records. Only parts that pass leave our facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
Every Cerakote job at ColoradoKote is tracked under our AS9100:2015 quality management system with full material batch numbers, application parameters, cure profiles, and inspection data. Parts ship with a Certificate of Conformance documenting coating thickness (0.5-2 mils), adhesion, color consistency (Delta E 1.5), and all process variables. This level of documentation satisfies aerospace OEM and Tier 1 supplier quality requirements, including those we maintain for multiple manufacturers.
In many aerospace applications, yes. Cerakote delivers 3,000 hours of salt spray resistance (ASTM B117) compared to 336-1,000 hours for anodizing, and it eliminates the 20-60% fatigue debit that anodizing causes on aluminum substrates. It also works on titanium, Inconel, and composites, not just aluminum. We recommend discussing your specific specification requirements during quoting, as some programs require formal qualification testing for coating substitution.
Cabin interior components typically use H-Series Cerakote, which meets aerospace flammability requirements per third-party testing against Cerakote lab reports. The coating adds only 0.5-2 mils of thickness, preserving tolerances on latches, brackets, and trim components. Color consistency at Delta E 1.5 ensures visual uniformity across large cabin interior programs where hundreds or thousands of parts must match precisely.
At 0.5-2 mils thickness, Cerakote preserves interference fits and thread engagement that powder coating at 4-6 mils cannot maintain. We mask threaded holes, bearing surfaces, and critical datum features per documented masking plans reviewed against your engineering drawings. Over 20,000 parts coated with zero quality issues demonstrates the process control needed for precision aerospace hardware.
Yes. We run the complete preparation-to-coating sequence in-house: ultrasonic cleaning removes machining fluids and contaminants from blind holes and internal passages, chemical conversion coating (chromate or non-chromate) provides the adhesion-promoting base layer, and Cerakote ceramic coating delivers the final corrosion and wear barrier. Running this full stack under one AS9100 quality system eliminates handoff risk between multiple vendors and compresses your lead time.
Get Your AM Parts Production-Ready
Submit AM parts for evaluation. We respond within 24 hours with material-specific pricing.
