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
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.
Medical devices require thorough removal of machining fluids, particulate debris, and handling contamination before coating application. Ultrasonic cavitation reaches contaminants in the complex geometries typical of medical instruments and devices, including lumens, articulating joints, and textured surfaces. Cleaning solution is selected for biocompatibility and substrate compatibility. Verification confirms surfaces are clean to the standard required for the device classification and intended use.
We offer over 200 standard Cerakote colors spanning the full spectrum from flat tactical blacks to high-gloss automotive finishes. For proprietary colors, our custom color matching service can replicate Pantone references, RAL numbers, OEM paint codes, or physical samples to within Delta E 1.5. Multi-year production programs receive documented color standards that ensure consistency across reorders.
We offer 14-day standard turnaround for passivation, with 7-day and 3-day expedited options for build deadlines and race season prep. For automotive projects using both stainless and aluminum components, we can passivate the stainless, apply chemical conversion coating to the aluminum, and Cerakote everything in a single facility. This single-source approach saves time and ensures finish consistency across mixed-material builds.
Yes. Valve bodies, flow restrictors, and downhole tool components with internal passages and complex geometries receive targeted blast preparation. Nozzle selection and blast angle are adjusted to reach recessed areas and internal surfaces. Critical sealing surfaces and threads are masked before blasting. The goal is complete SP 10 preparation on all surfaces that will receive coating, while protecting dimensions and features that must remain uncoated.