Cerakote for Industrial OEM

Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.

Multi-part coating setup for industrial OEM
Cerakote spray application wide angle at ColoradoKote
Reality

Why Industrial OEMs Need Cerakote

Where multi-vendor complexity meets coating failure

The challenge

Harsh environments demand coatings that hold.

The solution

ColoradoKote ceramic coating stops corrosion cold.

Advantages

Why ColoradoKote Cerakote for Industrial OEM

One coating partner for every substrate in your BOM

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4,000+ hours corrosion protection

Salt spray resistance validated per ASTM B117 at 4,000+ hours, compared to 1,000-2,000 hours for standard powder coating and 500-1,000 hours for Parkerizing. The ceramic-polymer barrier resists hydraulic fluids, solvents, mild acids, and alkaline cleaning solutions per ASTM D1308. Components stay protected in chemical processing, wash-down, and coastal environments for years, not months.

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Thin-film tolerance preservation at 0.5-2 mils

Powder coating at 4-6 mils causes threaded fasteners to bind, bearing fits to shift, and mating surfaces to require post-coating machining. Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils maintains interference fits and close-tolerance assemblies without dimensional rework. Selective masking protects datum features, O-ring grooves, and reference surfaces where zero buildup is required.

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ISO 9001 documentation on every job

Every coating parameter is documented per ISO 9001:2015 requirements. Certificate of Conformance includes material batch numbers, application parameters, cure records, and inspection results. One quality system covers all substrates, eliminating the multiple audit trails that come with managing separate coating vendors.

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Multi-substrate consolidation from one source

Cerakote bonds to aluminum, steel, stainless steel, titanium, and composites. One coating process, one quality package, and one vendor qualification covers your entire parts portfolio regardless of substrate material. OEMs that previously managed 3-4 coating vendors consolidate to ColoradoKote, reducing procurement overhead and eliminating cross-vendor color matching inconsistency.

Specs

Cerakote Specifications for Industrial OEM

Cerakote coating application low angle at ColoradoKote
Process

How We Apply Cerakote for Industrial OEM Parts

ISO 9001 documented from surface preparation through final inspection

One

Substrate-Specific Surface Preparation

Each industrial alloy receives tailored preparation for maximum coating adhesion. Steel components undergo abrasive blasting to establish surface profile. Aluminum parts receive conversion coating per applicable specification. Stainless steel and titanium follow material-specific cleaning and profiling sequences. Ultrasonic cleaning removes cutting fluids, oils, and embedded contaminants. Precision masking protects threads, bearing journals, mating surfaces, and datum features from any coating buildup.

Surface profile check
Two

Controlled Thin-Film 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, ensuring tight tolerances are preserved across the production run. The same Cerakote formulation bonds to aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and titanium without requiring separate processes, so mixed-substrate batches move through one application cycle.

Even coating application
Three

Inspection, Documentation, and Shipping

Multi-point final inspection verifies coating thickness (DFT gauge), adhesion (ASTM D3359), color consistency (spectrophotometer), and visual appearance against acceptance criteria. Certificate of Conformance documents all measurements, material batch numbers, and process parameters. ISO 9001 quality records provide full traceability for customer audits and warranty documentation. Parts ship with complete documentation or electronic records upon request.

Test results documentation
Evidence

Proven Cerakote Performance for Industrial OEM

Industrial coating performance is verified through standardized ASTM testing, not manufacturer claims. Every production batch undergoes the same quality checks under ISO 9001 controls, and results are documented on your Certificate of Conformance with full lot traceability.

4,000+ hours salt spray resistance

Validated against ASTM B117, the standard used across manufacturing industries to qualify corrosion protection coatings. Powder coating typically reaches 1,000-2,000 hours before failure. Parkerizing provides 500-1,000 hours on steel substrates only. Cerakote delivers 4,000+ hours across all metal substrates, from aluminum pump housings to stainless steel valve bodies, eliminating the need for substrate-specific coating systems. Chrome plating achieves comparable corrosion protection but generates hazardous waste that Cerakote eliminates entirely.

4,000+

Hours salt spray resistance (ASTM B117)

Cerakote color consistency array at ColoradoKote
Related

Other services to consider

Explore what else we offer.

Chemical pre-treatment for oil and gas
Weight Reduction for Oil and Gas

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.

Visual inspection magnification for medical devices
Weight Reduction for Medical Devices

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.

Ultrasonic cleaning for maritime components
Weight Reduction for Maritime

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.

Multi-part coating setup for industrial OEM
Weight Reduction for Industrial OEM

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 Industrial OEM Project

Send your part details for a quote. We respond within 24 hours with approach and pricing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities

How long does passivation protect stainless steel from corrosion?

The corrosion protection from passivation is inherent to the stainless steel itself. By removing contaminants and maximizing surface chromium, passivation restores the material to its designed corrosion resistance, which can last the lifetime of the part in appropriate environments. For environments that exceed stainless steel's natural limits, adding a Cerakote topcoat at 0.5-2 mils extends measurable salt spray resistance to 3,000 hours per ASTM B117.

Can Cerakote post-processing make AM medical device housings suitable for clinical environments?

Yes. Raw AM surfaces harbor bacteria in their inherent porosity and texture, making them unsuitable for clinical settings. Cerakote seals surface porosity and reduces roughness from Ra 8-15 micrometers to below 3 micrometers, creating a smooth, cleanable surface compatible with hospital disinfectants and autoclave sterilization. The sealed surface prevents microbial adhesion while the coating withstands thousands of cleaning cycles without degradation. This transforms AM builds into clinical-grade components.

Can Cerakote post-processing make AM agricultural parts field-ready?

Yes. Raw AM parts lack the surface hardness, chemical resistance, and corrosion protection that agricultural field conditions demand. Cerakote transforms AM builds with 4,000 cycles per mil abrasion resistance for soil contact, chemical resistance against fertilizers and herbicides, and corrosion protection exceeding 3,000 hours salt spray. Our 40-60 PSI blasting preserves complex AM geometries like optimized seed metering components and custom nozzle designs that AM enables for precision agriculture applications.

What turnaround does ColoradoKote offer for defense programs?

Standard turnaround is 14 business days from receiving approved parts and specifications. We offer 7-day and 3-day expedited options for urgent program needs. Our AS9100 production scheduling system and dedicated coating lines let us accommodate surge requirements without compromising quality controls. Contact us with your program timeline for a detailed production schedule.

Has Cerakote been flammability tested?

Yes. Cerakote has undergone third-party flammability testing to verify its performance in applications where fire resistance is a regulatory or safety requirement. This testing is particularly relevant for aerospace cabin interiors, defense vehicle components, and industrial equipment in hazardous environments. Contact ColoradoKote for specific flammability test reports relevant to your application and regulatory framework.