Corrosion Protection for Defense
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
The Corrosion Problem in Defense
Where coating failure is a mission-readiness risk
The challenge
Harsh environments demand coatings that hold.
The solution
ColoradoKote ceramic coating stops corrosion cold.
Why Cerakote for Defense Corrosion Protection
Outperforms Parkerizing and chrome in the field
Salt spray resistance beyond Mil-Spec
4,000+ hours salt spray resistance (ASTM B117) versus 500 to 1,000 hours for Parkerizing and 336-1,000 hours for anodizing. That is three to six times the protection of traditional defense coatings. Components maintain barrier integrity through desert, maritime, and arctic field environments without secondary treatments.
Dimensional precision for weapon systems
0.5-2 mil controlled thickness preserves the tight tolerances required for weapon systems, optical housings, and precision tactical assemblies. Parts coat to specification without post-coating machining. Powder coating at 3-5 mils causes dimensional interference that compromises function on close-tolerance defense components.
ITAR-compliant traceability
ColoradoKote is ITAR registered with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. Every corrosion protection job is documented per AS9100 requirements under controlled-access protocols. Certificate of Conformance includes material batch numbers, Federal Standard 595 color verification, and full chain-of-custody documentation.
Multi-substrate coverage for mixed-material systems
Cerakote bonds to steel, aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, and polymer components. One coating system protects an entire weapon system regardless of substrate material. Chrome plating faces regulatory pressure from hexavalent chromium restrictions. Cerakote provides comparable corrosion protection without hazardous waste.
Corrosion Protection Specs for Defense
How We Deliver Corrosion Protection for Defense
ITAR-controlled process with documented chain of custody at every step
Controlled Intake and Surface Preparation
Defense articles enter our controlled-access facility under chain-of-custody documentation. Parts are logged, photographed, and assigned lot numbers. Substrates undergo ultrasonic cleaning, degreasing, and tailored media blasting. MIL-DTL-5541 chemical conversion pre-treatment is applied to aluminum components for enhanced corrosion protection.
Precision Corrosion Barrier Application
Cerakote is applied via calibrated HVLP equipment at 0.5-2 mil thickness, building a continuous corrosion barrier. Federal Standard 595 color matching is verified by spectrophotometer for tactical colors including ODG, FDE, and Coyote Brown. In-process DFT measurements confirm thickness compliance on every part.
Inspection and Certificate of Conformance
Multi-point final inspection verifies coating thickness, adhesion per ASTM D3359, pencil hardness, and color consistency (Delta E ≤1). Certificate of Conformance documents part identification, coating specification, material lot numbers, cure parameters, and all inspection results. Full AS9100 traceability ships with every defense order.
Proven Corrosion Protection for Defense
Corrosion protection performance is verified through standardized ASTM testing under AS9100 quality controls. Every production batch is documented with full lot traceability, and results are included on your Certificate of Conformance alongside chain-of-custody records.
4,000+ hours salt spray resistance
Validated against ASTM B117, the same standard used to qualify corrosion protection for military applications. This performance exceeds Parkerizing by three to six times, meaning components maintain protective integrity through extended field deployments without requiring retreatment or oil impregnation.
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 Defense Equipment
Submit an ITAR-compliant corrosion protection RFP. We respond within 24 hours with pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
Yes. Our passivation services per ASTM A967 and AMS 2700 remove free iron and surface contaminants from stainless steel medical components, creating the chromium oxide layer that prevents corrosion. For components requiring both passivation and a protective topcoat, we perform the complete process in-house, eliminating multi-vendor coordination and reducing contamination risk during transport.
Cerakote application does not introduce hydrogen into the substrate, unlike electroplating processes that carry embrittlement risk on high-strength steels (above Rockwell C 39). Surface preparation uses media blasting at 80-100 PSI rather than acid pickling, further eliminating hydrogen exposure. This makes Cerakote a safer alternative to chrome and cadmium plating on critical oilfield components where embrittlement-induced failure is a safety concern.
Yes. ColoradoKote coats prototype components, performance parts, engine hardware, brake calipers, suspension components, and custom fabrication for automotive R&D teams and performance builders. Cerakote's temperature range from -40°F to 2,000°F handles everything from underhood heat to winter road conditions. Our Cerakote Advanced Applicator certification ensures proper application on demanding automotive substrates.
Yes. The same Cerakote color applied to SLS PA12, MJF polymer, and metal AM substrates (Ti-6Al-4V, AlSi10Mg, 316L) produces consistent visual results when measured by spectrophotometer. Substrate color and surface texture affect perceived appearance, which is why we verify by instrument rather than visual inspection alone. Surface preparation parameters are adjusted per substrate to ensure consistent coating thickness and therefore consistent color appearance across material types.
Yes. Marine hardware ranges from heavy structural fittings to precision instruments and electronic housings. We match blast pressure and media to the specific component. Structural fittings receive standard 80-100 PSI preparation, while delicate marine electronics housings and sensor components are blasted at reduced pressure. All marine prep includes verification that chloride contamination is fully removed before coating proceeds.