Wear Protection for AM Parts
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
AM Parts Are Too Soft for End-Use
Polymer AM surfaces scratch and wear immediately
The challenge
Harsh environments demand coatings that hold.
The solution
ColoradoKote ceramic coating stops corrosion cold.
Why Cerakote for AM Wear Protection
Ceramic hardness on every AM surface
9H Pencil Hardness
ASTM D3363 verified. Transforms soft polymer AM surfaces to ceramic-grade hardness. End-use parts resist scratching, scuffing, and contact wear in production applications.
8,000+ Taber Abrasion Cycles
ASTM D4060 verified. Protects AM parts from handling wear, particulate erosion, and mechanical contact that degrades uncoated surfaces in weeks.
Surface Finish Improvement
Reduces AM roughness from Ra 6-15 μm to under 3 μm while adding hardness. Wear protection and aesthetic improvement in one application.
Both Polymer and Metal AM
Same wear protection system works on SLS, MJF, DMLS, and SLM parts. One vendor and one coating process for all AM substrates.
AM Wear Protection Specifications
How We Harden AM Surfaces
Material-specific protocols for polymer and metal AM
AM Surface Assessment
Parts evaluated for material type, surface roughness, and wear requirements. Build orientation and support removal areas identified for preparation optimization.
Surface Preparation & Coating
Material-specific blasting for optimal adhesion. Cerakote applied in controlled layers for maximum hardness development. Cure temperature matched to substrate material.
Hardness Verification
Post-cure pencil hardness testing confirms 9H. Surface roughness measurement verifies finish improvement. Adhesion and thickness documented on Certificate of Conformance.
Verified AM Wear Data
Hardness and abrasion data verified through ASTM testing on AM substrates. Results demonstrate transformation from prototype-grade to production-grade surface performance.
Pencil hardness
Taber abrasion cycles
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
Harden Your AM Parts
Send your AM part details and wear requirements. We respond within 24 hours with surface hardening approach and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
Tea staining on marine stainless steel is typically caused by free iron contamination from fabrication, handling, or contact with carbon steel. Passivation directly addresses this by dissolving free iron and restoring a clean chromium-rich surface. For hardware in visible marine applications where appearance matters alongside corrosion performance, adding a Cerakote finish maintains color consistency within Delta E 1.5 while providing an additional corrosion barrier.
Soil contact and persistent moisture accelerate corrosion on stainless steel, especially when free iron from welding or fabrication is present on the surface. Passivation removes this free iron and restores the natural passive layer, significantly extending service life for ground-engaging and moisture-exposed agricultural components. The process is fast, adds no dimensional change, and pairs well with Cerakote topcoats when maximum durability is required.
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.
Yes. We process single prototype parts with the same quality controls and documentation as full production runs. Many customers start with sample parts to validate coating performance and appearance, then transition to recurring production orders. Our ISO 9001 and AS9100 quality systems scale seamlessly from prototype through high-volume production without process variation. This makes us a single-source partner from development through manufacturing.
Yes. We perform chemical conversion coating per MIL-DTL-5541 on aluminum substrates followed by Cerakote ceramic topcoat, all under one roof. This combined stack eliminates the need to ship parts between vendors, reducing lead time and handling risk. Our 14-day standard turnaround with 3-day and 7-day expedited options keeps your production schedule on track.