Powder coating and Cerakote give finished metal parts color, durability and corrosion resistance. This page covers how coating thickness, masking and hang points affect your design.
Learn more about Finishing at Azoth
Powder Coating and Cerakote at a Glance
| Coatings | Powder coating, Cerakote |
|---|---|
| Used for | Performance, durability, corrosion resistance and visual finish |
| Multiple finishes | Cerakote can be combined with other finishes on a single part, such as high polish |
What to Send Us for Powder Coating and Cerakote
- The coating (powder coating or Cerakote) and the color for each part
- The surfaces to coat and the surfaces to mask
- The cosmetic surfaces that must stay free of hang marks
Powder Coating and Cerakote Design Rules
Coating Thickness and Tolerances
Both coatings add material to every coated surface, so allow for that on tight fits, threads and mating faces. Powder coating builds a thicker film than Cerakote, which makes Cerakote the better choice where tolerances are close or detail is fine.
Masking
Threads, press fits, mating faces and electrical contact points are usually masked so they stay bare. Mark every surface that must stay uncoated on your drawing.
Hang Points
Parts are hung or fixtured while they are coated and cured, which leaves a small uncoated mark at each contact point. A hole or a non-cosmetic surface is the best place for one, so tell us which surfaces must stay free of marks.
Sharp Edges, Recesses and Fine Detail
Coatings thin out over sharp edges and are harder to apply evenly deep inside narrow recesses. A thick coating can also soften or fill small text, textures and holes, so break sharp edges and keep fine detail off powder coated surfaces where you can.
Powder Coating and Cerakote Pre-Flight Checklist
Review this list before you send your part.
- The coating type and color are called out on the drawing
- Masked surfaces, threads and holes are marked
- Tight fits and threads allow for coating thickness
- A hang point is identified on a hole or a non-cosmetic surface
- Sharp edges are broken, and fine detail is kept off powder coated surfaces
Next Steps in the Azoth Workflow
The steps that can follow Powder Coating & Cerakote in Azoth's vertically integrated workflow.
Still Have Questions?
Contact us today and our Applications Engineering team will get back to you as soon as possible.