Capability
Nano Ceramic Coatings
Nano ceramic is a modern conversion coating built around zirconium-oxide chemistry — a nano-scale ceramic layer that bonds chemically to the substrate to deliver corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance, and an excellent base for downstream coatings. The deposit itself is extraordinarily thin, with no measurable impact on dimensional fit.
Nano ceramic was developed as a cleaner, lower-energy, multi-substrate alternative to traditional phosphate pre-treatments. It contains no phosphorus and no heavy metals, operates at lower temperatures than phosphate, and works as a single bath across steel, zinc, zinc-iron, zinc-nickel, and aluminum substrates — a meaningful operational advantage when a single program runs mixed materials.
Process Type
Conversion Coating
Coating Weight
Very Light
Finish Options
Clear & Black
Substrates
Multi-Metal
Two Finish Options
Standard and Nano Black
CMC runs two nano ceramic variants. Standard nano ceramic is the clear / silver finish, preserving the underlying substrate appearance while delivering the corrosion, abrasion, and chemical-resistance benefits.
Nano Black is the black-pigmented variant. It delivers the same performance characteristics as standard nano ceramic, plus a uniform black finish — useful when parts need visual identification, design intent calls for a dark aesthetic, or the assembly is visible in the final product.
Both variants are eco-friendly, non-toxic, and resistant to acids, bases, and solvents. Both operate across the same multi-substrate compatibility envelope. The choice is driven by appearance and assembly visibility, not by performance trade-off.
Where Nano Ceramic Fits
Common Applications
Nano ceramic is specified across applications where corrosion and abrasion resistance, multi-substrate compatibility, environmental compliance, and dimensional stability all need to land on the same part. It also performs reliably through handling, packaging, and shipping, so finished parts arrive at the customer in the same condition they left the line.
- Screw machined components — precision-turned parts where dimensional fit can't tolerate heavier conversion coatings
- Stampings — formed sheet-metal parts that face corrosion exposure in service
- Welded components — assembly hardware that's pre-treated before downstream processing
- Castings — including aluminum castings where nano ceramic applies directly without the substrate prep that other systems require
- Fasteners — bolts, nuts, washers, clips, and the high-volume threaded hardware where consistent finish across mixed substrates matters
- Brackets and fittings — general industrial and automotive hardware
Multi-Substrate Compatibility
One Process, Multiple Materials
Traditional conversion coatings are substrate-specific: a phosphate bath optimized for steel needs different chemistry to perform on aluminum or zinc. Nano ceramic was engineered around one chemistry that works across a multi-metal supply chain. CMC's nano ceramic applies cleanly over:
- Bare steel — direct application as the corrosion-protection layer
- Zinc-plated parts — adds abrasion and chemical resistance over the zinc
- Zinc-iron plated parts — extends performance of the zinc-iron layer
- Zinc-nickel plated parts — stacks with the severe-duty corrosion finish for total system protection
- Aluminum castings — direct application without the multi-step substrate prep aluminum normally requires
For programs running mixed substrates (a common reality in automotive, industrial, and appliance assemblies), this consolidates pre-treatment into a single process flow rather than splitting work across multiple specialized lines.
Specifications & Standards
Standards We Can Meet
TT-C-490
Federal specification for chemical conversion coatings on steel, including nano ceramic pretreatments
ISO 9717
Conversion coatings of metals — international reference standard for chemical conversion processes
ASTM B117
Salt-spray testing standard, used to validate nano ceramic corrosion performance
ASTM D3359
Adhesion testing for downstream coatings applied over nano ceramic pretreatment
IATF 16949
Automotive quality management process control across all facilities
RoHS, REACH, ELV
No phosphorus, no heavy metals — compliant with global environmental directives
Specifying nano ceramic for a part?
Send us a drawing, a corrosion or paint-adhesion specification, or a part description. We’ll confirm whether nano ceramic is the right fit for your substrate, your operating environment, and your finish requirements — clear or Nano Black — and walk through the process before anything goes on a line.