Difference Between Elastomeric & Ceramic Coatings

• Both elastomeric and ceramic coatings are used to protect various types of metal on rooftops, walls and large pieces of equipment that may experience weathering. Some coatings are also used inside engines where parts need to be protected from heat. Ceramic coatings include small ceramic compounds to offer extra heat protection, while elastomeric compounds are made with liquid plastic.

Nature

• Cross-linking density is the rate of how often molecule chains link to each other inside their coating. Elastomeric coatings, with their long plastic compounds, rarely connect to each other -- this property gives them their flexibility. More rigid coatings, like ceramic versions, have more branchings -- connections between compounds -- forming a complex layered surface that has less flexibility but offers more protection. This makes rigid coatings more waterproof and increases adhesion.

Protection

• Rigid coatings like ceramics excel in protecting objects from corrosion, such as corrosion from acidic substances that otherwise dissolve or oxidize protected surfaces. Ceramics, because of their clay properties, can also withstand high temperatures. Elastomeric coatings, on the other hand, do better at resisting abrasion from scratches or impact resistance from bumps and falls. The flexibility of elastomeric coatings allow them to give slightly when they are hit, creating a cushioning effect. The same property makes elastomerics suitable for materials that breathe and shift easily, like concrete.

Brushing

• Brushing refers to how easily the coating can be applied. The U.S. Department of Energy led a study of ceramic and elastomeric coatings in the mid-1990s that showed it was easier to paint the elastomeric coating onto materials than the ceramic version, which did not brush on as smoothly due to the small ceramic particles it contained. The ceramic coating also tended to attract more dirt because of its rougher texture.

Durability

• While ceramic materials can withstand harsher conditions than elastomeric versions, they also tend to degrade more quickly. This is related to the rough texture and rigidity of ceramic coatings, which are are vulnerable to wear due to weathering and use. Elastomeric materials, possibly because of their use in more mild conditions, last longer and perform better over long periods of time.