Wear Protection for AM Parts

Yes. Metal AM parts with topology-optimized geometries, thin walls, and lattice structures can experience measurable flex under operational loads. Polymer coating maintains adhesion through this flexing where rigid coatings crack and delaminate. For metal AM components in vibrating machinery, dynamic structures, or applications with thermal cycling, polymer coating provides corrosion and chemical protection that stays bonded through the movement. Surface preparation at 40-60 PSI preserves the AM geometry while creating proper coating adhesion.

Yes. Polymer coatings maintain adhesion and chemical integrity through repeated autoclave cycles at standard sterilization temperatures and pressures. Unlike rigid coatings that can microcrack under the thermal shock of autoclave cycling, polymer coatings flex with the substrate during thermal expansion and contraction. This thermal cycling durability is critical for reusable medical devices that undergo sterilization between every patient use. Coating integrity is maintained through hundreds of sterilization cycles.

Passivation per ASTM A967 is commonly applied to automotive stainless steel exhaust headers, downpipes, turbo housings, and performance hardware. The process removes free iron from welding and fabrication, restoring full corrosion resistance against road salt, moisture, and thermal cycling. For high-heat applications, pairing passivation with Cerakote adds thermal management properties and 3,000 hours of salt spray resistance at just 0.5-2 mils.

The 4,000 cycles per mil rating measures how many abrasion cycles the coating withstands per mil of thickness before wearing through, tested using a Taber abraser. At a typical 1 mil application, this means 4,000 cycles of abrasive contact before substrate exposure. In real-world terms, this translates to years of service life on wear surfaces, sliding contacts, and components subject to repeated mechanical abrasion.

Yes. Cerakote's smooth, sealed surface resists marine biological adhesion better than rough, porous raw AM surfaces. When biofouling does occur, the coating withstands the aggressive chemical cleaning agents used for marine maintenance without degradation. For AM parts deployed in submerged or splash-zone applications, the sealed Cerakote barrier prevents salt water from penetrating AM surface porosity, which would otherwise create subsurface corrosion that undermines the part from within.