Weight Reduction for Industrial OEM
Precision Cerakote ceramic coatings for aerospace, defense, and industrial components.
The Weight Problem in Industrial Equipment
Where coating mass impacts equipment performance
The challenge
Harsh environments demand coatings that hold.
The solution
ColoradoKote ceramic coating stops corrosion cold.
Why Cerakote for Industrial Weight Reduction
Thin-film protection that preserves design tolerances
200-400g savings per component
Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils replaces powder coating at 3-5 mils, removing measurable coating weight from each component. Across multi-component assemblies with dozens of coated parts, the cumulative savings reduce total equipment weight and improve handling characteristics.
Tolerance preservation on precision fits
A 1 mil application adds only 0.001 inches per side, maintaining bearing fits, thread class tolerances, and mating surface specifications. Pump housings, valve bodies, and hydraulic fittings coat to dimension without post-coating machining or thread chasing.
ISO 9001 documented quality
Every coating parameter is documented under ISO 9001:2015 quality controls. Certificate of Conformance includes DFT measurements, material batch numbers, and inspection results. Weight data is recorded for production lots requiring documented mass verification.
Multi-substrate single-vendor convenience
Cerakote bonds to aluminum, steel, stainless steel, and titanium. Mixed-material assemblies coat under a single work order with consistent thickness and weight documentation across all substrates. One vendor replaces the multiple coating suppliers that thick-film processes require.
Weight Reduction Specs for Industrial OEM
How We Deliver Weight Reduction for OEM Parts
Controlled thin-film application with full lot traceability
Substrate Evaluation and Surface Preparation
Components are assessed for substrate composition and dimensional requirements. Ultrasonic cleaning removes production oils and cutting fluids. Tailored media blasting creates the surface profile for maximum adhesion. Masking protects threaded holes, bearing journals, mating surfaces, and datum features where zero buildup is required.
Thin-Film Coating Application
Cerakote is applied via calibrated HVLP equipment targeting 0.5-2 mils. In-process DFT measurements confirm thickness at multiple points per part, ensuring uniform coverage without excess buildup on precision surfaces. The same formulation bonds to aluminum, steel, and stainless steel without separate processes.
Inspection and Weight Documentation
Multi-point final inspection verifies coating thickness, adhesion per ASTM D3359, and visual appearance. Pre- and post-coating weight measurements are recorded when required by your engineering specifications. Certificate of Conformance documents all measurements under ISO 9001 quality controls.
Verified Weight Savings for Industrial OEM
Weight reduction performance is verified through gravimetric analysis and DFT measurement on production lots. ISO 9001 documentation captures coating thickness and weight data for your quality records and engineering verification.
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 4,000+ hours salt spray resistance and chip resistance 2-3x superior to powder coating. For OEM production runs, consistent thin-film application maintains weight targets across every lot.
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 Equipment Coating Weight
Send part details for a weight analysis. We respond within 24 hours with approach and pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about our coating processes and technical capabilities
ColoradoKote processes ITAR-controlled aluminum defense components through both MIL-DTL-5541 Type I and Type II chemical conversion coating. Our 14-day standard turnaround includes full lot traceability, with 7-day and 3-day expedited options when mission timelines compress. Every batch is documented to the spec requirements your defense program demands.
The Cerakote color catalog includes 200+ standard colors across the H-Series, Elite, and V-Series product lines. Standard colors ship from NIC Industries inventory, which means no custom formulation lead time. For applications requiring a specific non-standard color, custom formulation through Cerakote is possible but involves higher cost and additional development time. We help you identify the closest standard color match before recommending custom formulation.
Chemical conversion coating itself adds less than 1 micron of thickness, contributing virtually zero weight. More importantly, it enables the use of lightweight aluminum in corrosive automotive environments by providing a reliable corrosion barrier. When topped with Cerakote at 0.5-2 mils instead of powder coating at 4-6 mils, the total coating weight is significantly reduced, supporting the overall lightweighting strategy that performance and EV applications demand.
Yes. Engine mounts, transmission components, suspension bushings, and exhaust hangers experience constant vibration that can crack rigid coatings. Polymer coating provides corrosion and chemical protection while flexing with the component. For high-performance and racing applications, polymer coating protects components exposed to fuels, brake fluid, and coolant without adding significant weight. The coating maintains adhesion through thousands of thermal and vibration cycles.
Metal additive manufactured parts in stainless steel and titanium often have surface porosity that makes them more susceptible to corrosion than wrought equivalents. ColoradoKote's passivation plus Cerakote stack seals this porosity and provides 3,000-hour salt spray protection, qualifying AM parts for corrosive industrial service. This post-processing capability is what makes the difference between AM prototypes and AM production parts.