Cerakote Ceramic Coating
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
How Cerakote Ceramic Coating Works at ColoradoKote
Every Cerakote job follows a controlled, documented sequence: solvent clean, media blast to profile, HVLP spray application at 0.5-2 mils with in-process DFT verification, oven cure at 250-300°F, and multi-point final inspection. Each step is recorded under AS9100 controls.
What Sets Us Apart
ColoradoKote is a dedicated Cerakote facility, not a multi-process shop splitting attention across anodizing, plating, and powder coating. Our Advanced Applicator-certified technicians coat ceramic every day on dedicated equipment, delivering 3,000 hours salt spray resistance and Delta E ≤1.5 color consistency across high-volume aerospace programs for multiple manufacturers with zero quality holds.
Aerospace Standards
Every job is tracked with material batch numbers, application parameters, cure temperatures, and inspection measurements under AS9100:2015, ISO 9001:2015, ITAR registration, and Cerakote Advanced Applicator certification. You receive a complete Certificate of Conformance documenting every data point your quality team requires.
What You Gain from Cerakote Ceramic Coating
Cerakote addresses the corrosion, wear, and consistency challenges that cost manufacturers time and money. Here is what changes.
3,000+ Hours Corrosion Resistance
Cerakote achieves over 3,000 hours ASTM B117 salt spray resistance at just 0.5-2 mils, outperforming powder coating (500-1,500 hours at 4-6 mils) and anodizing (336-1,000 hours). Components survive extreme salt spray, thermal cycling from -40°F to 2,000°F, and chemical exposure without degradation.
Delta E ≤1.5 Color Consistency
Spectrophotometer-verified color matching holds Delta E ≤1.5 across production runs, where powder coating typically delivers Delta E 2-4 and anodizing exceeds Delta E 5. Over 200 standard Cerakote colors available, with custom color matching and formula lock for program duration.
Tight Tolerances Maintained
At 0.5-2 mils, Cerakote preserves dimensional accuracy on precision-machined components where 4-6 mil powder coating creates fitment issues. 9H pencil hardness and 4,000 cycles/mil abrasion resistance protect surfaces without adding bulk, weight, or tolerance stack-up to critical assemblies.
Technical Specifications for Cerakote Ceramic Coating Applications
| Specification | Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature Range | -40 F to 2,000 F (V-Series) | Per Cerakote TDS |
| Coating Thickness | 0.5-2.0 mils | DFT Measurement |
| Salt Spray Resistance | 3,000 hours | ASTM B117 |
| Pencil Hardness | 9H (maximum on scale) | ASTM D3363 |
| Color Consistency | Delta E 1.5 | Spectrophotometer |
| Impact Strength | 160/160 in-lbs | ASTM D2794 |
| Abrasion Resistance | 4,000 cycles/mil | ASTM D4060 |
| Flexibility | 180-degree bend, 0mm loss | ASTM D522 |
| Coefficient of Friction (Elite) | ~0.11 | Per Cerakote TDS |
| Dielectric Strength (H-900) | 3,000 volts/mil | Per Cerakote TDS |
| Substrate Compatibility | All metals, polymers, composites | - |
| Available Colors | 200+ | Cerakote Catalog |
| Cure Temperature | 250-300 F (standard) | Per Cerakote TDS |
| Flammability | Third-party tested, meets aerospace flammability requirements | Cerakote lab reports / FAR 25.853 |
| VOC Status | Exempt in all 50 states | EPA Regulations |
Applicable Standards
- MIL-A-8625 (anodizing alternative): Cerakote provides comparable or superior corrosion protection without substrate limitations or fatigue debit
- MIL-DTL-53039 (chemical agent resistant coating): Cerakote formulations meet or exceed resistance requirements
- MIL-STD-171 (finishing of metal and wood surfaces): Cerakote qualified as an alternative finish system
- MIL-PRF-46010 (lubricant, solid film): Elite Series coefficient of friction (~0.11) meets dry lubricity specifications
- Cerakote is positioned as a qualified alternative to legacy coating specifications, eliminating hazardous waste from chrome plating and reducing dimensional variance from thick-film coatings
Comparison vs. Alternatives
| Property | Cerakote | Anodizing | Powder Coating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coating Thickness | 0.5-2 mils | Variable | 4-6 mils |
| Substrate Versatility | All metals + polymers | Aluminum only | Metals only |
| Color Consistency | Delta E 1.5 | Delta E >5 | Delta E 2-4 |
| Salt Spray (ASTM B117) | 3,000 hours | 336-1,000 hours | 500-1,500 hours |
| Weight Impact | Minimal | Adds material | 200-400g per part |
| Tolerance Preservation | Maintains tight tolerances | Variable growth | Dimensional issues |
| Fatigue Impact | None | 20-60% debit | None |
| Chip Resistance | Superior (2-3x) | Good | Baseline |
Source: Independent ASTM-certified testing. Full reports available upon request.
Parts received, logged, and tracking begins
Parts arrive and are logged into our AS9100 tracking system. We verify quantities against your purchase order, document incoming condition with photographs, and assign lot numbers. Chain of custody begins at this point and continues through final shipment.
Surfaces cleaned, profiled, and ready for coating
Surfaces are solvent-cleaned and degreased to remove all contaminants. Media blasting profiles the surface for optimal coating adhesion, with blast media selected for the specific substrate material. Surface preparation determines coating performance, and we do not rush this 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.
Cerakote applied in controlled, monitored layers
Cerakote ceramic coating is applied in controlled layers using calibrated HVLP equipment. Coating thickness is monitored in-process with DFT gauges to maintain the 0.5-2 mil specification. Application parameters, including air pressure, spray distance, and layer count, are documented for full traceability.
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.
Temperature-controlled ovens ensure full hardness
Parts cure in temperature-controlled ovens at 250-300 F following the prescribed cure schedule for the specific Cerakote formulation. Oven temperature is monitored and recorded throughout the cycle. Multiple ovens provide capacity redundancy and consistent thermal profiles.
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 and documentation
Final inspection verifies coating thickness (DFT gauge), adhesion (per ASTM D3359), color consistency (spectrophotometer, Delta E 1.5), and visual appearance against acceptance criteria. Certificate of Conformance is generated documenting all measurements. Documentation ships with parts or is available electronically.
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.
Start Your Cerakote Project
Request a Cerakote quote. We respond within 24 hours with technical approach and pricing.
