Corrosion Resistance for AM Parts
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
Metal AM Parts Corrode Faster Than Wrought Alloys
Porosity and surface roughness accelerate attack
The challenge
Harsh environments demand coatings that hold.
The solution
ColoradoKote ceramic coating stops corrosion cold.
Why Cerakote for AM Corrosion Protection
Seal porosity and protect in one application
4,000+ Hours Salt Spray Resistance
ASTM B117 verified. Seals micro-porosity inherent in metal AM processes while creating a corrosion barrier that outperforms the base metal's natural resistance.
Porosity Sealing
Cerakote fills the micro-voids and surface imperfections inherent in DMLS, SLM, and binder jet metal AM processes, eliminating moisture ingress points that initiate corrosion from within.
Surface Finish Improvement
Reduces AM surface roughness from Ra 6-15 μm to under 3 μm while adding corrosion protection. Two problems solved in one coating application.
Dimensional Precision
0.5-2 mil application adds minimal dimensional impact (+0.001-0.002"). Preserves the geometric accuracy that additive manufacturing delivers.
AM Corrosion Protection Specifications
How We Protect AM Parts From Corrosion
Material-specific protocols for metal AM substrates
AM Material Assessment
Parts evaluated for AM process type, alloy, density, and surface condition. Porosity level assessed to determine preparation and coating approach for optimal corrosion barrier.
Surface Preparation & Conditioning
Media blasting optimized for AM surface geometry. Support removal areas addressed. Ultrasonic cleaning removes residual powder and oils trapped in surface porosity.
Coating, Cure & Verification
Cerakote applied to seal porosity and create corrosion barrier. Cure temperature matched to metal AM substrate. Post-cure inspection includes adhesion, thickness, and surface quality verification.
Verified AM Corrosion Protection
Corrosion resistance verified through ASTM B117 salt spray testing on AM substrates. Results demonstrate significant improvement over uncoated metal AM surfaces.
Protection beyond base metal
Cerakote-coated AM parts exceed the corrosion resistance of wrought equivalents by sealing the porosity that makes AM surfaces vulnerable to accelerated attack.
Hours salt spray resistance
Other services to consider
Explore what else we offer.
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
Protect Your AM Parts From Corrosion
Send your AM part details and material specs. We respond within 24 hours with coating approach and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
Threaded connections and seal surfaces on oil and gas tools accumulate pipe dope, wellbore deposits, and corrosion products in thread roots and seal grooves that compromise connection integrity and coating adhesion. Ultrasonic cavitation at 40 kHz penetrates these tight geometries, dissolving and dislodging contaminants that brushing and spray cleaning cannot reach. For tools being recoated, verified thread cleanliness is essential for both coating performance and the mechanical reliability of make-up connections.
Chemical conversion coating per MIL-DTL-5541 provides a critical corrosion barrier for aluminum components exposed to oil and gas environments, including saltwater, H2S, and hydrocarbon exposure. Type I delivers 168-240+ hours of salt spray resistance (ASTM B117) as a standalone treatment. For extreme downhole or offshore conditions, we recommend adding a Cerakote topcoat for 3,000 hours of salt spray protection at just 0.5-2 mils.
Even stainless steel can suffer pitting and crevice corrosion in sustained saltwater exposure when free iron or surface contamination is present. Passivation per ASTM A967 removes these vulnerabilities and maximizes the chromium oxide passive layer. For marine components with continuous submersion or splash zone exposure, we recommend following passivation with Cerakote for 3,000 hours of salt spray resistance (ASTM B117) at just 0.5-2 mils.
Delta E is the international standard measurement for color difference between two samples. A Delta E below 1.0 is imperceptible to the human eye, and below 2.0 is barely noticeable under direct comparison. ColoradoKote specifies and verifies Delta E 1.5 or better on all color-matched work, ensuring production parts are visually consistent with the approved standard. Every production lot is measured by spectrophotometer and documented with the Delta E value on the Certificate of Conformance.
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.