DURABILITY

measures the resistance of organic coatings to the effects of rapid deformation (Impact). Impact resistance is measured by placing a coated panel in an universal impact tester. A standard weight is dropped a distance to strike an indenter that deforms the coating and the substrate. The indentation can be either an intrusion or an extrusion. By gradually increasing the distance the weight drops, (2 inches at a time) the point at which failure occurs can be determined by cracking or delamination of the coating. All Cerakote Elite and nearly every Cerakote H Series have an impact strength measuring 160 inch-lbs., which is the maximum the impact tester can measure.

CERAKOTE VS. ANODIZING

Cerakote doesn’t affect fatigue properties of aluminum alloys

Due to chemicals used in the process, anodizing offers a very limited color selection while Cerakote offers over 200 unique colors. Unlike anodizing that is known for its drastic color inconsistencies, Cerakote colors are held to a consistency standard of a Delta E of 1 or less. Cerakote does NOT detrimentally impact the fatigue properties of aluminum alloys while anodizing creates a brittle and porous oxide layer and tensile residual stress. Environmentally, Cerakote does not contain any heavy metals and is VOC compliant in all 50 states. Some anodizing processes release hexavalent chromium, which is a powerful carcinogen, into the environment.

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HARDNESS

is measured by using different grades of pencil lead to cut through a coating surface. To conduct this test, a coated panel is placed on a flat, horizontal surface. A weighted trolley with the hardest pencil lead (9h) is placed on the panel and pushed away from the operator. The length of the stroke should be about 6.5 mm. This process is repeated until a lead is found that will not cut through the coating to the substrate for a distance of at least 3 mm. This is the pencil hardness rating. This process is then repeated until a lead is found that will not cut nor scratch the coating (this is the scratch rating). Cerakote® H-146 Graphite Black finished strong with a 9h hardness rating, the highest hardness rating that can be achieved.

CERAKOTE VS. BLUEING

Tested in The Elements

To show how Cerakote stacks up to traditional blueing we set up a 15 month time-lapse in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Using two identical bolt-action rifles as our test subject, there was one clear winner: Cerakote.

ADHESION

is a test method to analyze whether a coating has adhered to a substrate. Cerakote Elite Series and H Series coatings were applied to a set of steel panels and a crosshatch pattern was made through the coating to the substrate. Pressure-sensitive tape was applied over the crosshatch cut and then the tape was smoothed into place over the area of the incisions. The tape is then removed by pulling it off rapidly back over itself at approximately a 180° angle. The adhesion of the coating to the steel is assessed on a 0B to 5B scale (shown). Cerakote Elite and H Series coatings 'finished strong' with a 5B adhesion rating, the highest adhesion rating possible. Cerakote® H-146 Finished Strong with a 5B adhesion rating, the highest adhesion rating possible.

CERAKOTE VS. NITRIDE

The Corrosion Resistance King

In a head-to-head test, Cerakote was put up against Nitride in a salt chamber to see which would be the most corrosion-resistant. Each barrel was placed in the salt chamber and after just 8 hours the Nitride finish barrel began to show signs of corrosion. As the test went on, it took a whopping 1,206 hours to show any signs of corrosion.