The structure of the ceramic coatings industry from raw materials to end-use products includes suppliers of ceramic coating consumables, suppliers of coating systems, job shops providing coating services and end users, including those with in-house coating facilities. The availability and commercialization of high-performance coatings have already changed the internal specification patterns of certain industries such as cutting tool inserts. The useful life of coated inserts is many times longer than the life of uncoated inserts. This, in turn, has reduced the cost of cutting tool inserts and at the same time increased productivity. Similarly, use of ceramic-coated components for aircraft turbine engines has resulted in construction of large aircraft. Currently, auto enthusiasts are coating certain components to improve auto engine performance. In addition, ceramic coatings have made it possible for certain large machine components to be repaired in situ.

The high-performance ceramic coating service industry runs the gamut from companies with sales in the tens of millions of dollars to small job shops. Due to the decline in the aerospace industry, some smaller companies have downsized or struggled to stay in business or have gone out of business completely. During this period, several acquisitions and mergers occurred. In addition, some companies sold their coating service business as a separate entity. However, by the late 1990s, there was increased activity in high-performance ceramic coatings using thermal spray, especially in aircraft engines and automotive applications. These increased activities have resulted in more licensing and development/marketing activities. In recent years, BCC Research has identified over a dozen such business relationships.

This new BCC Research study provides an in-depth analysis of the materials, applications, economics, current markets and trends, and players in ceramics coatings. Forecasts are provided for each major market segment through 2018. In-depth analyses have been provided for the North American ceramic coatings industry structure, providing detailed information on major players and markets for each application.

This study provides the most up-to-date information on the high-performance ceramic coatings market segments. The report further describes various kinds of ceramic deposition technologies, new developments and recent patents, advantages and limitations of currently used techniques, and profiles of all North American players involved in this industry.