We conduct a variety of tests on our products, so we can confidently say that we are the industry leader in durability, hardness, scratch resistance, flexibility, and chemical resistance.
CERAKOTE product tests
15-month time lapse
Corrosion outdoors
See how Cerakote performs compared to traditional bluing. We exposed two identical bolt-action rifles to the forests of the Pacific Northwest for 15 months and documented this with time-lapse footage.
Corrosion of various coatings
Salt spray corrosion test
The salt spray corrosion test is used to evaluate the relative corrosion resistance of a coated part exposed to salt spray at elevated temperatures. The chamber is maintained at an operating temperature of 35°C, and a 5% salt solution is sprayed at the required rate of 1.0 - 2.0 ml/hour. Based on the ASTM B117 test standard, the Cerakote H-Series has exceeded 2,000 hours, and the Cerakote Elite Series has even surpassed 3,000 hours.
Abrasion test
Taber Abrasion is a test that uses a weighted abrading wheel rotating at a constant speed to determine the resistance of surfaces to abrasion and wear according to the ASTM D4060 test standard. Seven competing coatings, including Cerakote® H-146 Graphite Black, were tested according to ASTM D4060.
Based on the ASTM test standard D4060, Cerakote® Finished Strong lasts almost twice as long as the nearest competing product and 24 times longer than the more distant competitor.
Chemical resistance
The chemical resistance of Cerakote was tested with a variety of solvents under extreme conditions. Coated plates were immersed in a solution for 24 hours. The samples were then removed and analyzed based on an assessment of the average color change in all tested solvents. The results of this test are shown in the table.
Gen II IR - Camouflage Colors for Night and Day
Coatings for night vision camouflage
Cerakote Gen II coatings offer signature management and camouflage against next-generation night vision devices. This coating, intended exclusively for government and military use, builds on the success of the Cerakote H-Series, which is used by manufacturers worldwide more than any other coating.
Hardness
Hardness (ASTM D3363) is measured by using different pencil leads to cut through a coating surface. To perform this test, a coated plate is placed on a flat, horizontal surface. A weighted carriage with the hardest pencil lead (9H) is placed on the plate and pushed away by the operator. The length of the stroke should be about 6.5 mm. This process is repeated until a lead is found that cuts the coating less than 3 mm into the substrate. This is the pencil hardness grade. The process is then repeated until a lead is found that neither cuts nor scratches the coating (this is the scratch resistance).
Cerakote® H-146 Graphite Black finished strong, passing this test with a 9H result, the highest hardness rating achievable.
Color measurement
During production, we use three different devices to precisely measure the color and gloss of our coatings. The following devices are used to ensure that the strict color standard is met for every batch produced by Cerakote®: the X-Rite Ci6X color spectrophotometer, the X-Rite AcuGloss gloss meter, and the X-Rite Judge light box.
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Measures colors precisely to control color quality and consistency in production
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Measures the gloss of surfaces quickly and precisely
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Simulates standardized lighting conditions so that colors and surfaces can be reliably assessed under controlled light
Impact Resistance
Durability
Impact resistance (ASTM D2794) measures the durability of organic coatings against the effects of rapid deformation (impact). Impact resistance is measured by placing a coated plate in a universal impact tester. A standardized weight is then dropped from a specific height with the aim of deforming the coating and substrate. The dent can be either an intrusion or an extrusion. By gradually increasing the drop height (in 2-inch increments), the point at which failure occurs—through cracking or peeling of the coating—can be determined.
All Cerakote Elite and almost all Cerakote H-series coatings have an impact resistance of 160 inch-lbs. This is the maximum that the impact tester can measure.
Photopolymer
Cerakote provides long-term UV protection for UV-sensitive photopolymers. We collaborated with PolySpectra on their COR (Cyclic Olefin Resin) Alpha material in an accelerated UV test of 1,000 hours (ASTM 4587). The combination of the durable and robust COR Alpha material and Cerakote's C-Series coatings results in an excellent end product that can be used without issues in long-term outdoor applications.
Multi Jet Fusion
Adhesion test (ASTM D3359), hardness (ASTM D3363), chemical resistance (ASTM D4752), and color fastness (ASTM D1729) Cerakote is the industry-leading post-treatment for Multi Jet Fusion Nylon 12 parts.