CERAKOTE® vs. CARC
Cerakote provides coatings engineered for the defense industry.
WHAT IS CARC AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
CARC (Chemical Agent Resistant Coating) is the standard paint used for military hardware. Its primary purpose is to protect military equipment and personnel by ensuring that equipment can be decontaminated and reused after exposure to biological, chemical, or nuclear agents. This makes CARC a critical component of military preparedness.
CAN CERAKOTE BE USED IN PLACE OF CARC PAINT?
THE ANSWER: YES.
Cerakote ceramic coatings meet and often exceed the performance and functionality requirements of CARC coatings. Cerakote has already been successfully used as a replacement for CARC in applications such as:
- Mobile electronics
- Communication devices
- Vehicle suspensions
- Weapon systems
- Microwave and radar equipment
Read on to learn more, or:
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WHAT ARE CARC COATINGS' DEFICIENCIES, AND WHY ARE THEY COSTLY?
DEFICIENCIES OF CARC COATINGS
- Requires primers, pretreatments, and heavy, thick coats.
- Thick coatings can interfere with tight-tolerance parts.
- Excessive coating buildup can cause cracking or chipping during assembly, as well as higher rejection rates during production.
- Toluene Diisocyanate (TDI).
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
- Isocyanates (HDI).
THE NEED FOR ALTERNATIVES
There is a growing demand for coatings that are:
- More cost-effective.
- Capable of protecting tight-tolerance components.
- Safer and environmentally friendly.
ADVANTAGES OF CERAKOTE OVER CARC
Cerakote's combination of precision, durability, and chemical resistance makes it an ideal replacement for CARC in many industries.
- Applied at a much thinner layer than CARC (0.5-1.0 mil).
- Ideal for tight-tolerance applications without the risk of cracking or chipping.
- Requires no primers or pretreatments.
- Can be applied directly to metals, polymers, and composites.
- Reduces weight compared to CARC, improving the operational range of equipment like vehicles and drones.
- Protects against harsh solvents, fuels, and corrosive substances.
- Certain Cerakote formulations include NiR camouflage properties, reducing infrared visibility for stealth applications.
- Suitable for concealment in both visual and infrared spectrums.
- Can be used on a wide variety of substrates and surfaces.
- Does not contain harmful chemicals like TDI or HDI and is VOC compliant in all 50 states.
CONCLUSION
Cerakote is a proven alternative to CARC paint, offering:
- Superior performance in tight-tolerance applications.
- Cost savings due to simplified application and reduced rework.
- Lightweight, durable protection.
- Advanced chemical resistance comparable to CARC.
- Near-infrared camouflage for stealth and military applications.
- A safer and more environmentally friendly solution for military and civilian needs.
For more information you can call us at 866-774-7628 or email us at industrial@cerakote.com
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Swatches are aluminum panels sprayed with Cerakote for DEMONSTRATION AND COLOR REPRESENTATION PURPOSES ONLY. If you desire a testing sample please contact us at info@cerakote.com If your order contains an "Out of Stock" swatch, we will create that swatch for you, then ship your entire swatch order. This can take up to two weeks.
If all swatches are IN STOCK it will ship in 1-3 business days via 2nd Day Air.
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