Corrosion Resistance for Defense

Yes. Some applications benefit from a polymer basecoat for flexibility and chemical resistance topped with Cerakote for hardness and abrasion protection. This multi-layer approach addresses applications where no single coating provides all required properties. ColoradoKote designs and applies these combined systems with documented process controls. The full stack, including surface preparation, polymer application, and Cerakote topcoat, ships with complete documentation under our AS9100 quality system.

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.

Yes. Elite Series Cerakote combines the 4,000 cycles per mil abrasion resistance with a ~0.11 coefficient of friction, providing both wear protection and dry lubrication on sliding surfaces. At 0.5-2 mils thickness, the coating preserves the clearances on precision slides, linear rails, and bearing journals that thicker coatings would close up. The dry lubrication eliminates the need for wet lubricants that attract contamination in dusty or dirty environments.

Cerakote maintains color consistency (Delta E 1.5) and corrosion protection through UV exposure, freeze-thaw cycling, and temperature swings from -40 degrees F to sustained summer heat. Unlike conventional agricultural paint that chalks and fades within seasons, Cerakote's ceramic-polymer matrix resists photodegradation. Equipment stored outdoors year-round maintains both its protective coating and professional appearance over multiple service seasons.

Cerakote outperforms phosphate-based finishes on every measurable axis: 3,000 hours salt spray resistance (ASTM B117) versus 96-250 hours for manganese phosphate, 9H pencil hardness (ASTM D3363) versus 2-4H, and 200+ color options versus the single grey-black of Parkerizing. Cerakote also eliminates the hazardous waste stream from phosphating chemistry and adds only 0.5-2 mils versus the variable thickness of conversion coatings.