Cerakote for Aerospace
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
Why Aerospace Needs Cerakote
Where coatings fail, aircraft stop flying
The challenge
Harsh environments demand coatings that hold.
The solution
ColoradoKote ceramic coating stops corrosion cold.
Why ColoradoKote Cerakote for Aerospace
One coating process for every aerospace substrate
Every aerospace substrate from one coating process
Cerakote bonds to aluminum, steel, titanium, Inconel, stainless steel, and composites. ColoradoKote qualifies once and covers your entire aerospace parts portfolio, replacing the 3-4 substrate-specific vendors that fragment most aerospace coating programs. Mixed-substrate batches move through one application cycle, one quality system, and one Certificate of Conformance. That consolidation eliminates cross-vendor color mismatch and cuts procurement overhead.
Controlled thin-film application at 0.5-2 mils
Calibrated HVLP equipment applies Cerakote in monitored layers with in-process DFT measurement on every part. This controlled application preserves interference-fit dimensions on structural fasteners and close-tolerance assemblies without post-coating machining. Powder coating at 3-5 mils causes dimensional interference and adds 200-400g per part. ColoradoKote's thin-film process eliminates both problems while delivering 4,000+ hours corrosion resistance (ASTM B117).
Dedicated facility with documented environmental controls
Climate-controlled spray booth holds temperature within 5 F and humidity within 10% throughout application, the specific controls that determine color development and cure consistency. 40 kHz ultrasonic cleaning prepares every substrate before coating. Advanced Applicator-certified technicians execute the same calibrated process on every part. These facility controls are why the 90,000-part commercial aircraft program delivered zero quality holds across three years.
AS9100 process documentation from intake to shipment
Every coating parameter is recorded: spray pressure, distance, layer count, booth temperature, humidity, and cure profile. Certificate of Conformance includes material batch numbers, application data, environmental conditions, and inspection results. First article inspection reports and PPAP documentation are available upon request. This documentation depth goes beyond test results to prove how every part was processed.
Cerakote Specifications for Aerospace
How We Apply Cerakote for Aerospace Parts
AS9100 documented from surface preparation through final inspection and shipment
Aerospace-Specific Surface Preparation
Each aerospace alloy receives tailored preparation for maximum coating adhesion. Titanium, aluminum, steel, and Inconel substrates follow different cleaning and profiling sequences. Ultrasonic cleaning at 40 kHz removes machining fluids, fingerprint oils, and embedded contaminants from blind holes and complex geometries. Precision masking protects critical surfaces, threads, and bearing areas from coating buildup. Surface preparation determines coating longevity, and 80% of coating failures trace to inadequate prep.
Controlled Cerakote Application
Cerakote is applied via calibrated HVLP equipment in monitored layers targeting 0.5-2 mil thickness. In-process DFT measurements confirm dimensional compliance on every part. Application parameters, including air pressure, spray distance, and layer count, are documented for full AS9100 traceability. Climate-controlled spray booth holds temperature within 5 F and humidity within 10% throughout application. Parts cure at 250-300 F per the prescribed schedule in temperature-monitored ovens with data-logged profiles.
Multi-Point Inspection and Documentation
Final inspection verifies coating thickness (DFT gauge), adhesion per ASTM D3359 (5B rating), color consistency (spectrophotometer, Delta E ≤1), and visual integrity against acceptance criteria. Salt spray test coupons from each production batch validate 4,000+ hour corrosion performance. Certificate of Conformance documents all measurements, material batch numbers, and cure records. PPAP and first article inspection reports are available upon request.
Proven Cerakote Performance for Aerospace
Process consistency is verified through production data and standardized ASTM testing, not single-sample results. ColoradoKote documents every process parameter under AS9100 controls, and batch-level results are on your Certificate of Conformance with full lot traceability.
90,000 parts, 3 years, zero process deviations
A commercial aircraft cabin interior program ran 90,000 parts through ColoradoKote's Cerakote application process across three years. Every batch maintained the same spray parameters, environmental controls, and cure profiles. The result: zero quality holds, zero color rejections (Delta E ≤1 on every lot), and zero dimensional non-conformances. This program proved that ColoradoKote's process scales from prototype to full production without degradation in any quality metric.
Parts with zero process deviations
Other services to consider
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Weight Reduction for Oil and Gas Equipment
Thick coatings add mass to equipment transported to remote wellsites and offshore platforms. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils saves 200-400g per part versus powder coating. ISO 9001 certified.
Weight Reduction for Medical Device Components
Surgical instruments must be light enough for hours of precise use. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils saves 200-400g per part versus powder coating without compromising protection. ISO 9001 certified.
Weight Reduction for Maritime Equipment
Heavy coatings add mass to marine hardware that affects vessel performance and handling. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils saves 200-400g per part versus powder coating. ISO 9001 certified.
Weight Reduction for Industrial OEM Components
Thick coatings add unnecessary mass to engineered equipment. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils delivers 200-400g savings per part versus powder coating while preserving tolerances. ISO 9001 certified.
Certified and compliant for your industry
Start Your Aerospace Project
Request a Cerakote quote for aerospace parts. We respond within 24 hours with approach and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
Yes. ColoradoKote is registered with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) under ITAR. Our facility, personnel, and processes meet all requirements for handling defense-related components and technical data. ITAR registration operates alongside our AS9100:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications, so defense projects receive the same documented quality controls as our aerospace production work.
Yes. Lattice structures and internal channels in AM parts trap loose powder that cannot be removed by compressed air or manual methods. Ultrasonic cavitation penetrates into these complex geometries, dislodging and suspending trapped particles for removal. This is often the only effective method for achieving clean internal features on AM builds. For metal AM parts with fine lattice features, ultrasonic cleaning is essential before any surface finishing or coating process.
The Cerakote color catalog includes 200+ standard colors across the H-Series, Elite, and V-Series product lines. Standard colors ship from NIC Industries inventory, which means no custom formulation lead time. For applications requiring a specific non-standard color, custom formulation through Cerakote is possible but involves higher cost and additional development time. We help you identify the closest standard color match before recommending custom formulation.
Cerakote operates from -40 degrees F to 2,000 degrees F (V-Series), covering everything from Arctic surface equipment to downhole tools near thermal recovery zones. H-Series cures at 250-300 degrees F and is rated for continuous service temperatures below 500 degrees F. V-Series is air-cured and rated to 2,000 degrees F for exhaust manifolds, flare tips, and high-temperature process equipment.
Shipboard and coastal defense communications equipment faces continuous salt spray, humidity, and UV exposure that rapidly degrade electronics housings and antenna components. Cerakote's 3,000-hour salt spray performance combined with its thin 0.5 to 2 mil film build protects these components without altering RF-critical dimensions or adding significant weight to mast-mounted equipment. Our ITAR registration ensures proper handling of controlled defense electronics throughout the coating process.