AM Post-Processing
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
How AM Post-Processing Transforms Your Parts
Cerakote fills micro-voids and smooths layer lines on additive manufacturing parts at 0.5-2 mils. Ultrasonic cleaning removes embedded powder, fine media blasting creates an adhesion profile without dimensional distortion, and coating application reduces surface roughness from Ra 8-15 micrometers to below 3 micrometers while maintaining tolerances within 0.005 inches.
Material-Specific Protocols, Not Generic Coating
Most coating shops treat AM parts the same as machined metal. That approach damages thin-walled polymer structures and wastes expensive titanium components. ColoradoKote maintains separate protocols for each AM material class, with PA12 and MJF nylon receiving fine glass bead blasting at 40-50 PSI and Ti-6Al-4V receiving gentle aluminum oxide blasting with validated cure profiles. This material-specific approach delivers consistent Ra below 3 micrometers across polymer and metal substrates.
Aerospace-Grade Documentation for AM Parts
ColoradoKote applies its full AS9100 quality system to AM post-processing. Every part receives incoming dimensional verification, material confirmation, process parameter recording, and post-coating CMM measurement. ITAR registration covers defense AM applications. You receive a Certificate of Conformance with surface roughness data, dimensional verification, and complete traceability.
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 Below 3 Micrometer Surface Roughness
Raw AM parts arrive with Ra 8-15 micrometers on polymer substrates and Ra 10-25 micrometers on metal. Cerakote post-processing reduces roughness to Ra below 3 micrometers, transforming parts from prototype appearance to production-ready finish. This smoothness eliminates visible layer lines while adding corrosion and wear protection.
Dimensional Tolerance Within 0.005 Inches
Thick coatings destroy the dimensional accuracy that makes AM valuable for production. ColoradoKote applies Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils, maintaining tolerance within 0.005 inches. Parts with threaded features, press-fit interfaces, and close clearances retain functional accuracy after coating.
200 AM Parts Per Week Throughput
AM post-processing becomes a production bottleneck when coating shops lack dedicated capacity. ColoradoKote maintains equipment and protocols to process 200 AM parts per week across polymer and metal substrates. Your AM parts move through surface finishing on a consistent schedule without waiting behind traditional machined components.
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 | 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 | 7-10 business days | Scheduling |
Certifications: AS9100 | ISO 9001 | ITAR | Cerakote Advanced Applicator
Industries Using AM Post-Processing
Ceramic coating protects components across demanding industries. From aircraft engines to military hardware, our process delivers the durability these applications demand.
Aerospace parts
Engine components, landing gear, fasteners, and structural elements face extreme conditions. Ceramic coating extends service life and ensures reliability at altitude.
Aerospace parts
Engine components, landing gear, fasteners, and structural elements face extreme conditions. Ceramic coating extends service life and ensures reliability at altitude.
Aerospace parts
Engine components, landing gear, fasteners, and structural elements face extreme conditions. Ceramic coating extends service life and ensures reliability at altitude.
Aerospace parts
Engine components, landing gear, fasteners, and structural elements face extreme conditions. Ceramic coating extends service life and ensures reliability at altitude.
Where ceramic coating delivers real value
Engine components, landing gear, and fasteners face conditions that demand absolute reliability. Ceramic coating extends service life and ensures performance at altitude and beyond.
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 at or below 1). 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
Standalone ultrasonic cleaning turnaround is typically 3-5 business days from receipt of parts. Cycle time per batch is 10-30 minutes depending on contamination severity, but turnaround includes intake, pre-assessment, cleaning, verification, and documentation. For parts proceeding to coating, cleaning is integrated into the coating schedule and does not add separate lead time. Contact us at 970.541.7331 for current scheduling availability.
We use a multi-method verification approach. Water-break testing confirms DI water sheets uniformly across surfaces with zero beading, verifying the absence of oils and films. White-glove inspection checks for particulate transfer. For critical aerospace applications, dyne pen testing measures surface energy against your specified threshold. Rinse water conductivity is verified below 10 microsiemens per centimeter. Parts that fail any verification step are re-cleaned before release.
Yes. While ultrasonic cleaning is frequently performed as surface preparation before coating application, we also provide it as a standalone precision cleaning service. Standalone cleaning orders receive the same AS9100 process controls, documentation, and verification as cleaning performed before coating. Parts are returned clean with a Certificate of Conformance documenting all cleaning parameters and verification results.
Ultrasonic cavitation removes machining fluids, cutting oils, coolant residue, fingerprint oils, mold release agents, flux residue, carbon deposits, embedded particulates, and additive manufacturing support material. The cavitation action reaches contaminants in blind holes, internal passages, threads, and lattice structures that manual cleaning and spray methods cannot access. Solution chemistry is selected based on the specific contamination type and substrate material.
No. Ultrasonic cavitation is a non-contact cleaning method that does not mechanically abrade or distort parts. Cleaning solution chemistry is matched to the substrate material to prevent chemical attack. Alkaline solutions are used for aluminum, neutral formulations prevent hydrogen embrittlement on titanium, and polymer-safe solutions protect additive manufacturing parts. We have cleaned parts with wall thicknesses under 0.5mm without damage or dimensional change.
Start Your AM Post-Processing Project
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