The original state of metal surfaces experiences a variety of unwanted issues over time. For example, metal that has no protection has a high corrosion rate in a short period of time and is also susceptible to rust. In an industrial setting, it is recommended to hire a metal blackening company to treat the exposed surfaces of your machines to prevent the likelihood of such damage. The advantage of this type of coating over others is that there is minimal buildup.
What is Blackening?
Blackening, also known as black oxide, is a conversion coating designated for stainless steel, silver solder, powdered metals, zinc, copper-based alloys and copper, and other ferrous materials. Blackening is popularly used to improve appearance, minimise the reflection of light, and add a mild corrosion resistance to metal surfaces such as those in industrial machinery. In order to achieve the maximum corrosion resistance, the black oxide treatment must be impregnated with wax or oil.
Advantages of Black Oxide
The advantages of commercial blackening of metal surfaces are a vast and worthwhile investment. Blackening is highly recommended in industrial and factory settings to prolong the life of your company’s machinery in a safe and efficient way. Here are some of the main reasons that you should consider hiring a blackening or black oxide metal service from a professional company such as Blackfast, a highly reputable company for all of your industrial blackening needs.
- Product appeal
- Light glare reduction
- Protection against corrosion and rust
- Dimensional stability
- Anti-galling
- Improved lubricity
- Decorative finishing
- Paint pretreatment
- Conductivity
- No embrittlement
- Lack of welding fumes
- Economical procedure
Types of Blackening
There are generally two types of blackening for steel and iron products: hot blackening (hot black oxide) and cold blackening (room-temperature blackening).
- Hot Black Oxide: This black oxide treatment can be achieved from a generic mix of nitrate/sodium nitrate, caustic soda, stabilisers, and wetting agents as well as proprietary mixes. The result of this process is an attractive but marginally thin and corrosion-resistant dark black finish. This type of iron oxide finish is recognisable to consumers in sprockets and gears, some socket wrenches, and spark plugs, along with other tools. It is also commonly used in components of firearms, such as rifle barrels.
- Cold Blackening: To save energy and reduce the hazards of hot blackening, proprietary solutions such as cold blackening have been introduced. This application operates at room temperature and utilises a different chemical basis. This, however, is not a true process of black oxide but rather the application of copper selenium. In some cases, this compound is not an appropriate substitute for black oxide. It does not look as nice and can be smutty.