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
Yes. Sandblasting at 80 to 100 PSI removes existing corrosion, scale, and failed coatings, then Cerakote's thin 0.5 to 2 mil film build restores protection without affecting fit or function. This is significantly more cost-effective than replacing components, especially for specialized parts with long lead times. The coating's abrasion resistance and corrosion protection often exceeds what the original factory finish provided.
Yes. Custom agricultural components, replacement parts for discontinued equipment, and low-volume specialty attachments face prohibitive tooling costs through conventional manufacturing. AM eliminates tooling while ColoradoKote's post-processing delivers production-grade surface quality and protection. The combined cost is often 40-60% less than conventional manufacturing for quantities under 100 units. Our 200 parts per week capacity and 14-day standard turnaround support both urgent replacement needs and planned seasonal production runs.
Our services form a complete finishing pipeline. Ultrasonic cleaning removes contamination. Sandblasting creates the mechanical bonding surface. Custom color matching develops and verifies your specified appearance. Cerakote or polymer coating provides the functional and aesthetic finish layer. For AM parts, this entire sequence transforms raw 3D-printed components into production-quality finished parts. Running all steps in one facility under one AS9100 quality system eliminates the handoff risks and quality gaps of multi-vendor finishing.
We offer MIL-DTL-5541 Type I and Type II chemical conversion coating for industrial aluminum equipment and components. Type I provides 168-240+ hours of salt spray resistance (ASTM B117), while Type II offers 96-168+ hours using non-chromate chemistry. Both create a sub-micron layer that protects against corrosion while serving as an excellent primer for topcoat adhesion in harsh industrial environments.
Ship parts to our facility in Johnstown, CO with adequate packaging to prevent damage in transit. Include a packing slip referencing your quote number and any special instructions. For ITAR-controlled items, contact us before shipping to confirm proper handling procedures. We inspect all incoming parts upon receipt and document condition before processing begins. Shipping instructions and our facility address are provided with your approved quote.