Weight Reduction for Aerospace
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
The Weight Problem in Aerospace Coating
Where every gram compounds across a fleet
The challenge
Harsh environments demand coatings that hold.
The solution
ColoradoKote ceramic coating stops corrosion cold.
Why Cerakote for Aerospace Weight Reduction
Thin-film protection that preserves design intent
200-400g savings per part
Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils replaces powder coating at 3-5 mils, removing 200-400g of unnecessary coating weight from each component. Across thousands of parts per airframe, the cumulative savings translate directly to improved fuel efficiency and increased payload capacity.
Dimensional precision maintained
A 1 mil application adds only 0.001 inches per side, preserving interference-fit fastener dimensions and press-fit tolerances. Parts coat to specification without post-coating machining, eliminating a rework step that adds cost and lead time to aerospace production programs.
Full AS9100 traceability
Every coating parameter is documented per AS9100 requirements. Certificate of Conformance includes material batch numbers, DFT measurements, cure records, and inspection results. Weight calculations are recorded for each production lot, giving your engineering team verified data for airworthiness documentation.
Universal substrate compatibility
Cerakote bonds to aluminum, steel, titanium, Inconel, and polymer substrates. One thin-film coating system protects your entire parts portfolio regardless of alloy, simplifying supplier management and consolidating documentation across mixed-material assemblies.
Weight Reduction Specs for Aerospace
How We Deliver Weight Reduction for Aerospace
Thin-film application with full traceability from intake through inspection
Substrate-Specific Surface Preparation
Each aerospace alloy follows a tailored cleaning and profiling sequence. Aluminum, titanium, and steel substrates receive specific blast media and pressure settings to achieve optimal adhesion without removing base material. Masking protects critical threads, bearing surfaces, and mating interfaces identified on engineering drawings.
Controlled Thin-Film Application
Cerakote is applied via calibrated HVLP equipment targeting the 0.5-2 mil range. In-process DFT measurements confirm thickness at multiple points on each part, ensuring uniform coverage without excess buildup. Application parameters, including air pressure, spray distance, and layer count, are documented for traceability.
Curing, Verification, and Weight Documentation
Parts cure per the prescribed schedule in temperature-monitored ovens. Final inspection verifies coating thickness, adhesion per ASTM D3359, and visual appearance. Pre- and post-coating weight measurements are recorded on the Certificate of Conformance, providing your engineering team with verified weight data for fleet documentation.
Verified Weight Savings for Aerospace
Weight reduction claims are verified through gravimetric analysis and dry film thickness measurement on every production lot. AS9100 documentation captures pre- and post-coating weight, DFT readings, and dimensional data for your airworthiness records.
200-400g savings per part vs powder coating
At 0.5-2 mils versus 3-5 mils, each component carries a fraction of the coating weight while retaining 9H pencil hardness and chip resistance 2-3x superior to powder coating. Across fleet-scale production volumes, the cumulative weight savings reduce fuel burn and increase available payload.
Weight savings vs powder coating
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
Reduce Your Aerospace Coating Weight
Request a weight analysis for your aerospace parts. We respond within 24 hours with specifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
Maritime hardware faces continuous salt exposure, making blast preparation especially critical. We blast marine components to SSPC-SP 10 near-white cleanliness, removing all chloride contamination, oxidation, and prior coating residue. The 2-4 mil anchor profile provides maximum adhesion surface for Cerakote, which then delivers salt spray resistance exceeding 3,000 hours. For marine applications, we recommend blast preparation followed by chromate-free conversion coating and Cerakote for the most durable corrosion protection stack.
Yes. Abrasion resistance of 4,000 cycles per mil (ASTM D4060) and 9H pencil hardness (ASTM D3363) provide substantial protection against the grinding abrasion of soil, sand, and crop material on coulter blades, seed openers, ground-engaging tools, and conveyor surfaces. For high-wear components, the full stack of chemical conversion coating plus Cerakote maximizes adhesion so the coating stays bonded under sustained abrasive contact.
Every defense order ships with a Certificate of Conformance documenting material batch numbers, application parameters, cure temperatures, and all inspection measurements. First Article Inspection (FAI) reports per AS9102 are generated when required by your purchase order. All documentation is maintained under our AS9100 and ITAR-compliant quality system, with records retained per defense contract requirements.
Yes. Agricultural equipment operates in continuous moisture from irrigation, rain, and soil contact, often combined with road salt exposure during transport between fields. Polymer coating provides flexible corrosion protection that survives the vibration and impact of field operation. For equipment frames, mounting brackets, and structural components that flex under load, polymer coating maintains adhesion where rigid coatings develop stress cracks that allow moisture penetration and subsurface corrosion initiation.
Every passivation order includes full lot traceability and processing certificates to ASTM A967 and AMS 2700 specifications. Our documentation packages are designed to support your medical device quality management system requirements. With over 20,000 parts processed and zero quality issues, ColoradoKote delivers both the process reliability and the paper trail that medical device manufacturers need.