Corrosion Protection for Additive Manufacturing
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
The Corrosion Problem in Additive Manufacturing
Porosity turns AM parts into corrosion liabilities
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 step
Porosity sealing with corrosion barrier
Cerakote fills micro-porosity from powder bed fusion while delivering 4,000+ hours salt spray resistance (ASTM B117). Vapor polishing and tumbling improve cosmetics but leave surfaces chemically unprotected. Cerakote provides both surface sealing and functional corrosion protection in a single coating application.
AM tolerance preservation at 0.5-2 mils
Additive manufacturing enables complex geometries with tolerances of plus or minus 0.005 inches. Cerakote adds 0.001 to 0.002 inches per coated surface, keeping parts within their tolerance envelope. Powder coating at 4-6 mils pushes AM parts outside specification and requires post-machining that eliminates topology-optimized features.
Full traceability for aerospace AM parts
Every AM coating job is documented per AS9100 requirements with material batch numbers, cure parameters, and inspection data. Certificate of Conformance includes before-and-after Ra measurements and dimensional verification by CMM. First article inspection reports are available for new aerospace AM programs.
Multi-substrate compatibility across AM materials
Cerakote bonds to PA12, PA11, glass-filled nylon, AlSi10Mg, Ti-6Al-4V, Inconel, and stainless steel. One coating partner handles your entire AM portfolio regardless of build material or print technology. Polymer parts cure at 250 F, below PA12 heat deflection temperature, preventing warping.
Corrosion Specs for AM Applications
How We Deliver Corrosion Protection for AM Parts
Material-specific protocols for polymer and metal additive manufacturing
AM Material Assessment and Surface Preparation
Every AM part begins with substrate identification: PA12, PA11, glass-filled nylon, AlSi10Mg, Ti-6Al-4V, Inconel, or stainless steel. Polymer parts receive low-pressure aluminum oxide blasting at 30-40 PSI to avoid distortion of thin-walled features and lattice structures. Metal AM parts receive tailored blasting to remove support structure witness marks without altering geometry.
Thin-Film Corrosion Barrier Application
Cerakote is applied at 0.5-2 mil thickness via calibrated HVLP equipment, filling surface porosity while building a continuous corrosion barrier. Polymer parts cure at 250 F, below PA12 heat deflection temperature. Metal parts follow standard cure profiles at 250-300 F. DFT measurements confirm thickness compliance on every part.
Dimensional Verification and Corrosion Documentation
Post-coating CMM measurement confirms parts remain within the plus or minus 0.005 inch tolerance envelope. Before-and-after Ra measurements document surface improvement. Certificate of Conformance includes dimensional data, corrosion test results, material batch records, and cure parameters for full AS9100 traceability.
Proven Corrosion Protection for AM Parts
Corrosion protection on AM parts is verified through the same standardized ASTM testing applied to traditionally manufactured components. Every production batch is documented under AS9100 controls, with results included on your Certificate of Conformance alongside dimensional and surface finish data.
4,000+ hours salt spray resistance
Validated against ASTM B117 on both polymer and metal AM substrates. Cerakote seals the micro-porosity that makes raw AM surfaces vulnerable to moisture infiltration and corrosion initiation. AM production managers can specify additional testing, and we document results alongside standard Ra and dimensional measurements.
Hours salt spray resistance (ASTM B117)
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
Send part files for a corrosion protection RFP. We respond within 24 hours with pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
AS9100:2015 governs our entire quality management system, from receiving inspection through final shipment. Every process variable is controlled and documented: surface preparation method, blast media selection, coating application parameters, cure temperature profiles, and inspection criteria. ISO 9001:2015 provides the foundation for continuous improvement. Calibrated instruments are maintained on documented schedules, and all personnel hold current Cerakote Advanced Applicator training.
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.
We process aluminum parts to MIL-DTL-5541 Type I (chromate) and Type II (non-chromate) chemical conversion coating specifications. Type I delivers 168-240+ hours of salt spray resistance per ASTM B117, while Type II provides 96-168+ hours. Our conversion coatings are spec-proven for multiple manufacturers and backed by over 20,000 parts processed with zero quality issues.
Our AS9100 quality system documents every step of the AM post-processing sequence: incoming part condition, blast parameters, cleaning verification, coating application parameters, cure profile, thickness measurements, adhesion testing, and final inspection. This complete traceability package supports aerospace qualification requirements and provides the data your quality team needs for first article inspection, process validation, and ongoing production acceptance. Our spec-proven work for major aerospace OEMs demonstrates this qualification capability.
Cerakote's ceramic-polymer matrix creates a molecular barrier that prevents moisture, oxygen, and salt ions from reaching the substrate. Tested per ASTM B117, this barrier maintains integrity through 3,000 hours of continuous salt spray exposure, significantly outperforming conventional paint and powder coat systems. The coating bonds to properly prepared substrates at the molecular level, eliminating the micro-voids that let corrosion initiate under traditional coatings.