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
Cerakote delivers 160/160 inch-pound impact resistance, meaning it withstands significant mechanical shock from both the coated side and reverse side without cracking, chipping, or delaminating. This dual-direction impact resistance is critical for components subject to drops, tool strikes, vibration, and mechanical loading during service. The coating flexes with the substrate rather than fracturing like brittle hard coatings.
Cerakote delivers 3,000 hours salt spray resistance (ASTM B117) and 4,000 abrasion cycles per mil (ASTM D4060) on pump housings, impellers, valve bodies, and actuator components. The coating operates from -40 degrees F to 2,000 degrees F, covering the thermal range of most industrial process equipment. At 0.5-2 mils thickness, it preserves the clearances and sealing surfaces that thicker coatings would compromise on precision fluid-handling components.
Yes. Industrial components returning for recoating or refurbishment carry accumulated carbon deposits, chemical residue, corrosion products, and aged coating material. Ultrasonic cavitation breaks down and removes these stubborn contaminants from all surfaces including complex internal geometries. For heavily contaminated parts, we may use sequential cleaning cycles with different solution chemistries to address multiple contaminant types. Parts are verified clean before proceeding to stripping, blasting, and recoating.
Yes. Engine blocks, intake manifolds, valve covers, and exhaust components all receive blast preparation tailored to the substrate material and operating temperature. Exhaust components destined for V-Series Cerakote (rated to 2,000 degrees F) are blasted to ensure adhesion under extreme thermal cycling. Aluminum engine components receive media selected to avoid iron contamination. All automotive blast work follows the same documented process controls as our aerospace operations.
Yes. SLS and MJF polymer parts have surface and near-surface porosity that allows moisture, chemicals, and gases to penetrate the build. Polymer coating fills and seals these pores, creating a continuous barrier that prevents environmental ingress. This sealing is especially valuable for AM parts used in chemical, food processing, or fluid handling applications where porosity-driven contamination absorption is unacceptable. The flexible coating also accommodates any slight deflection of thin-wall AM geometries under load.