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
Yes. Cerakote bonds to all metals (aluminum, steel, titanium, stainless, Inconel) and polymers (PA12, PA11, and other engineering plastics). Surface preparation is tailored to each substrate type within the same production order. This is a significant advantage over anodizing (aluminum only) and electroplating (metals only). Mixed-substrate orders are common in our additive manufacturing and industrial work.
Cerakote delivers 9H pencil hardness and 4,000 cycles per mil abrasion resistance, significantly outperforming conventional epoxy and urethane coatings on high-wear surfaces. Impact resistance of 160/160 inch-pounds means the coating withstands mechanical shock without chipping or delamination. At 0.5 to 2 mils film build, Cerakote protects wear surfaces while preserving the tight clearances industrial equipment demands.
Cerakote's ceramic-polymer matrix resists UV photodegradation and chemical discoloration that causes conventional coatings to chalk, yellow, or fade. The cross-linked ceramic structure maintains its optical properties through outdoor exposure, chemical contact, and thermal cycling from -40 degrees F to operating temperature. This means color-coded medical instruments, branded automotive components, and aerospace cabin parts maintain their specified appearance through years of service.
Yes. Oil and gas equipment programs often span years, with replacement and expansion parts ordered long after the original batch. We retain the spectrophotometer data, formulation records, and Delta E measurements from every order so your custom color is exactly repeatable. Parts produced two years apart are verified to Delta E 1.5 against the original standard, ensuring consistent visual identification across your entire installed equipment base.
Our services form a complete finishing pipeline. Ultrasonic cleaning removes contamination. Sandblasting creates the mechanical bonding surface. Custom color matching develops and verifies your specified appearance. Cerakote or polymer coating provides the functional and aesthetic finish layer. For AM parts, this entire sequence transforms raw 3D-printed components into production-quality finished parts. Running all steps in one facility under one AS9100 quality system eliminates the handoff risks and quality gaps of multi-vendor finishing.