Polymer Coating
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
How Polymer Coating Works at ColoradoKote
Polymer coatings provide flexible, chemical-resistant protection for components that operate under vibration, flexion, and chemical exposure. Applied via HVLP spray with controlled thickness, polymer coatings complement Cerakote ceramic for applications where dynamic movement and chemical resistance are primary requirements.
What Sets Us Apart
ColoradoKote applies polymer coatings as part of an integrated finishing system, not as a standalone commodity service. Our technicians select polymer formulations matched to your specific operating environment, whether that involves repeated flexion cycles, chemical splash exposure, or vibration fatigue. The same AS9100 quality controls that govern our Cerakote process apply to every polymer coating application.
Aerospace Standards
Polymer coating applications are documented with formulation identification, application parameters, thickness measurements, and cure verification under AS9100 controls. Adhesion testing per ASTM D3359 confirms bond integrity. When polymer coating is paired with Cerakote in a multi-layer system, both coating records are integrated into a single Certificate of Conformance.
What You Gain from Polymer Coating
Polymer coatings solve problems that rigid coatings create on flexible, chemical-exposed, and friction-sensitive components.
Dynamic Application Performance
Polymer coatings maintain protective integrity through repeated flexion and vibration cycles where rigid ceramic coatings could micro-crack. Components operating under dynamic loads, thermal cycling, or mechanical vibration benefit from polymer’s ability to flex with the substrate without delamination or coating failure.
Chemical and Solvent Protection
Polymer formulations resist hydraulic fluids, fuels, solvents, and industrial chemicals that degrade uncoated surfaces. Specific polymer chemistries are selected based on your chemical exposure profile, providing targeted protection against the exact substances your components encounter in service.
Integrated with Cerakote Systems
Polymer coatings pair with Cerakote ceramic in multi-layer coating systems where different surfaces on the same assembly require different performance characteristics. Rigid surfaces receive Cerakote for hardness and abrasion resistance. Dynamic surfaces receive polymer for flexibility and chemical resistance. One facility, one quality system, one Certificate of Conformance.
Technical Specifications for Polymer Coating Applications
| Specification | Value | Test Method |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility | 180-degree mandrel bend, 0mm coating loss | ASTM D522 |
| Chemical Resistance | Resistant to solvents, acids, hydraulic fluids | ASTM D1308 |
| Coating Thickness | 0.5-2.0 mils | DFT Measurement |
| Adhesion | 5B (highest rating) | ASTM D3359 |
| Coefficient of Friction | ~0.11 (Elite Series) | Per Cerakote TDS |
| Impact Strength | 160/160 in-lbs | ASTM D2794 |
| Substrate Compatibility | All metals, polymers (PA12, PA11), composites | - |
| VOC Status | Exempt in all 50 states | EPA Regulations |
| Environmental Compliance | Heavy-metal free, REACH compliant | Per formulation SDS |
Certifications: AS9100 | ISO 9001 | ITAR | Cerakote Advanced Applicator
Parts received, logged, and tracking begins
Your components arrive and are logged into our AS9100 tracking system. We verify quantities against your purchase order, photograph incoming condition, and assign lot numbers. Full chain of custody starts here and continues through final shipment.
Surfaces cleaned and profiled for polymer adhesion
Parts are cleaned via ultrasonic bath and degreased to remove all contaminants. Media blasting profiles the surface for optimal polymer adhesion, with blast media selected for the specific substrate. Surface preparation determines coating performance, and we do not cut this step short.
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.
Polymer coating applied in controlled layers
Polymer coating is applied using calibrated spray equipment with in-process thickness monitoring via DFT gauge. Application parameters, including air pressure, spray distance, and layer count, are documented for traceability. Thickness targets 0.5-2 mils to preserve dimensional tolerances on precision components.
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.
Controlled cure develops full coating properties
Parts cure in temperature-controlled ovens following the prescribed schedule for the specific polymer formulation. Oven temperature is monitored and recorded throughout the cycle. Multiple ovens provide capacity redundancy and consistent thermal profiles for reliable property development.
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 before parts ship
Final inspection verifies coating thickness via DFT gauge, adhesion per ASTM D3359, and visual appearance against acceptance criteria. A Certificate of Conformance is generated documenting all measurements, material batches, and process parameters. 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 Polymer Coating Project
Request a polymer coating quote. We respond within 24 hours with a technical approach and pricing.
