What other muzzle-loader products have good anti-corrosion properties?
In the first set of experiments performed two years ago, a number of patch lubes were tested for their ability to prevent rust due to humidity acting on resdiual black powder combustion products. Five products were tested, and the results are shown here. I received a number of requests to test other products, so I set up this second set of commercial and home-made lubes, which include re-tests of some done previously Test Material: The last tests were done on mild steel and polished spring steel; this time I decided to try 4140 alloy, commonly used for lock castings. An annealed square 4140 1/4″ bar was chopped into 2″ sections, and after marking them for identification, each surface was water-ground with a 320 grit diamond hone. A characteristic of diamond-honed steel is that it will rust almost instantly if left exposed, so it made an ideal surface on which to test the lubes. The Test: The treatments applied were identified with a letter stamped into the metal and are: Bar #1 – Contr
