Black Oxide

The Black Oxide process includes:

• Cleaning
• Rinsing
• Oxide bath
• Rinse
• And in most cases a supplementary top coat, usually an oil to improve corrosion protection.

Other supplementary coatings are dry touch oils, wax or lacquers. Oils will yield a more glossy finish where a wax will offer a more matte look.

Acid pickling or alkaline de-scaling may have to be added before to the process to address parts with heat treat scale or heavy rust. Plated parts must be stripped prior to the black oxide parts. The magnetite layer cannot be produced over a plated surface.

In order to determine the appropriate top coat you should consider the length of protection required, the desired finished appearance (gloss/matte), storage conditions (humidity, vapor, temperature) and final application.

Most testing for black oxide coatings is visual. It is important to note that the coating will mirror the finish of the substrate and does not level pits or scratches in the base material. There is also a rub or smut test and corrosion resistance is tested in a humidity chamber.

Benefits of black oxide coatings

• It does not create any dimensional changes
• It does not chip or flake
• It offers improved lubricity
• It is able to withstand high temperatures without discoloring
• It also can be welded
• It offers cosmetic benefits (gloss or matte)
• It is inexpensive to apply

Black Zinc Phosphate is another type of blackening available. This is a process where a relatively thick porous salt of iron, zinc or manganese phosphate is formed on the surface of iron or carbon steel. A few alloys of stainless steel will except this process, but not too well.

The color in its natural state is various shades of grey, but the thicker variants can be dyed black or another dark color. The porous nature allows it to soak up oil or some other preservative, and this greatly improves it corrosion resistance. The thick porous nature makes for a rougher finish and is not as cosmetic as a black oxide coating.