What is Black Oxide and how is it applied?
Black oxide is a decorative black finish applied to ferrous, low-alloy metal stampings, castings, and machined components for limited corrosion resistance, which is dependent on the final sealant used. It offers a combination of properties that cannot be provided any other way. This conversion coating makes no dimensional change to parts and is very abrasion resistant. Black oxide is excellent on moving parts that require close tolerances. There are five basic steps in the black oxide process: 1) Clean 2) Rinse 3) Black oxide 4) Rinse 5) Final non-toxic sealant application The cleaning solution is alkaline based, and heated to approximately 170-degrees F. This removes oils and light grease, and prepares the product for the black oxide. The product is then thoroughly rinsed with clean, filtered free-flowing water. Product is submerged into the black oxide, or salts, bath (primarily Sodium Hydroxide), at a temperature of 285-degrees F, for a minimum of 20 minutes. Product is removed and
