Corrosion Protection for Medical Devices
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
The Corrosion Problem in Medical Devices
Where sterilization is the corrosion accelerator
The challenge
Harsh environments demand coatings that hold.
The solution
ColoradoKote ceramic coating stops corrosion cold.
Why Cerakote for Medical Corrosion Protection
Survives sterilization, preserves instrument function
Sterilization-resistant corrosion barrier
4,000+ hours salt spray resistance (ASTM B117) combined with chemical resistance to autoclave steam, ethylene oxide, hydrogen peroxide plasma, and hospital-grade disinfectants. The coating maintains its protective barrier through hundreds of sterilization cycles without degradation, cracking, or particulate shedding.
Dimensional precision for surgical instruments
0.5-2 mil coating thickness preserves the dimensional tolerances critical to surgical instrument function. Jaw closures, cutting edges, and mating surfaces maintain their engineered geometry after coating. This is 60-75% thinner than powder coating at 3-5 mils, eliminating the rework caused by oversized coatings on precision instruments.
ISO 9001 traceability for device manufacturers
Every coating job is documented under ISO 9001:2015 quality controls. Certificate of Conformance includes coating thickness, adhesion results, and material batch records. Documentation supports device manufacturer quality system requirements. Regulatory compliance and biocompatibility validation remain the responsibility of the device manufacturer.
Multi-substrate instrument compatibility
Cerakote bonds to stainless steel and titanium, the two primary surgical instrument substrates. One coating process handles mixed-material instrument sets. Color-coded applications use the Cerakote catalog of 200+ colors for instrument identification that survives sterilization cycles.
Corrosion Specs for Medical Applications
How We Deliver Corrosion Protection for Medical
Controlled environment with documented traceability at every step
Medical Component Surface Preparation
Instruments are ultrasonically cleaned and degreased to remove all surface contaminants. Stainless steel and titanium substrates receive preparation methods matched to their alloy composition for maximum corrosion barrier adhesion. Masking protects cutting edges, jaw surfaces, and mating features that must remain uncoated.
Precision Corrosion Barrier Application
Cerakote is applied via calibrated HVLP equipment at 0.5-2 mil controlled thickness. In-process DFT measurement confirms dimensional compliance before curing at 250-300 F. Color-coded applications are verified by spectrophotometer for Delta E ≤1 consistency across instrument sets.
Quality Inspection and Documentation
Multi-point final inspection verifies coating thickness, adhesion per ASTM D3359, color consistency, and visual appearance under magnification. Certificate of Conformance documents all measurement data and material batch records. Documentation supports device manufacturer quality system and regulatory requirements.
Proven Corrosion Protection for Medical Devices
Corrosion protection performance is verified through standardized ASTM testing under ISO 9001 quality controls. Results are documented on your Certificate of Conformance for device manufacturer quality records and regulatory documentation.
4,000+ hours salt spray resistance
Validated against ASTM B117. For medical device applications, this corrosion resistance translates to long-term protection through hundreds of autoclave cycles and chemical sterilization exposures. The coating maintains barrier integrity and surface smoothness, reducing contamination risk from coating degradation.
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
Discuss Your Medical Project
Submit an RFP for medical device corrosion protection. We respond within 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
Yes. Our standard turnaround for chemical conversion coating is 14 days, with 7-day and 3-day expedited options available for production-critical aerospace schedules. We process both Type I and Type II MIL-DTL-5541 in-house, so there is no subcontracting delay. For programs requiring ongoing throughput, we work with your procurement team to establish recurring capacity.
Every part is solvent-cleaned and degreased, then media-blasted at 80-100 PSI with blast media selected for the specific substrate material. Aluminum, titanium, steel, and polymer substrates each receive tailored preparation to create the optimal surface profile for Cerakote adhesion. For parts requiring maximum corrosion protection, we apply chemical conversion coating and passivation before Cerakote, running the full stack under our AS9100 quality system.
Threaded connections and seal surfaces on oil and gas tools accumulate pipe dope, wellbore deposits, and corrosion products in thread roots and seal grooves that compromise connection integrity and coating adhesion. Ultrasonic cavitation at 40 kHz penetrates these tight geometries, dissolving and dislodging contaminants that brushing and spray cleaning cannot reach. For tools being recoated, verified thread cleanliness is essential for both coating performance and the mechanical reliability of make-up connections.
Yes. Chloride contamination trapped in crevices, fastener holes, and under-deposit areas is the primary cause of crevice corrosion on marine hardware. Ultrasonic cavitation penetrates these restricted geometries where spray cleaning and immersion alone cannot provide adequate cleaning action. The 40 kHz cavitation energy dislodges crystallized salt deposits and dissolves chloride films. Verified chloride removal from all surfaces and crevices is essential before any coating provides lasting protection in the marine environment.
Yes. We passivate aerospace stainless steel components to ASTM A967 and AMS 2700 specifications. The acid bath process removes free iron and surface contaminants, bringing chromium to the surface to form a robust passive oxide layer. There is no dimensional change, making passivation ideal for precision aerospace stainless parts. Our facility has processed over 20,000 parts with zero quality issues, including work spec-proven for major aerospace OEMs.