Frequently Asked Questions
Does Black Oxide come in other colors?
No. Black Oxide is a natural reaction of the metal with the Black Oxide bath. This finish can vary from shiny parts with a tight smooth and/or hardened surface to matte parts with a porous non-hardened surface. An oil post-treatment will help give a shiny finish. A wax or rust inhibitor will make the finish matte.
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What does dry to the touch mean?
This is a subjective term that means something different to everyone. In the industry it describes the degree of oil on the surface of the part. An oil finish can give a feel of no oil, light oil, or oily.
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What Post-treatment is best for my Applications?
The post treatment is generally dictated by the corrosion resistance required and the finish desired. (Shiny or Matte)
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Does Black Oxide Require a Post-Treatment?
Black Oxide depends on the post-treatments for corrosion resistances. In a unique application when adhesive, paint or other laminations will be applied, a post-treatment may not be required.
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Will the Black Oxide coating crack or fracture if the part is bent, twisted or formed after Black Oxide?
No. Black Oxide is an integral formed surface of the metal that allows for forming of the part.
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Can Stainless Steel be Black Oxided?
Yes. Stainless steels 200, 300, and 400 series can be blackened to MIL.C-13924 CL 4.
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Can Copper, Brass and/or Bronze be Black Oxided?
Yes. All three materials can be blackened to MIL.F-495.
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Can Brass, Bronze or Copper plated parts be Black Oxided?
Yes. Black Oxide can be applied over brass, bronze and copper plated parts.
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Can Zinc or Chrome plated parts be Black Oxided?
No. Black Oxide will not blacken over zinc, chrome or other plating finishes.
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Can Black Oxide be selectively applied?
Yes. Black Oxide can be selectively applied using Teflon masking, but it is an inexact procedure. Generally most applications calling for masking are specified because of dimensional build up inherent in other plating processes.
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Can Aluminum be Black Oxided?
No, anodizing is often times confused with black oxide. Aluminum will actually dissolve in a black oxide bath.
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Can Powdered Metal be Black Oxided?
Yes. Powdered metals can be black oxided but they must be resin impregnated prior to black oxide.
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Does Black Oxide coat internal holes?
Yes. Black Oxide is an immersion process so all exposed surfaces, internal and external, are coated in the Black Oxide process.
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Does Black Oxide change the surface hardness of heat-treated parts?
No. Blackened parts retain their surface properties and dimensions.
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At what temperature is Black Oxide destroyed?
Black Oxide will begin to turn brownish when exposed to temperatures above 600 degrees Fahrenheit. The post-treatment coatings will be destroyed above 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
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If a part has a chrome area, can it be Black Oxided without damaging the chrome?
Yes. You can Black Oxide a part without damaging the chrome area as long as it is not exposed to acid.
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Can you make a soft or heat-treated part shiny black?
Yes. Our Pre-Black "Onyx" process enables us to refine the surface so the end result will be a shiny black surface.
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Can a part with copper brazed components be blackened?
Yes, Our Bi-Met™ Process will turn both the base metal and copper braze black.
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Can blackened parts be re-plated?
Yes. Black Oxide can be easily removed and re-blackened.
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Can Die Cast Zinc be Black Oxided?
Yes. Die cast zinc is black oxided on a regular basis. It has proved to be an ideal process for this material with intricate detail.
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WARNING:If your spec calls for processing to MIL C-13924 / CL-1 or 2, the process itself specifies a chromic acid sealer. We recommend as an alternative AMS-2485-J which does not include the chromic acid.
For more information on this, please contact us. |
