Black oxide

This article is about modern black oxide coatings. For historical uses, see Bluing (steel).

Black oxide or blackening is a conversion coating for ferrous materials, stainless steel, copper and copper based alloys, zinc, powdered metals, and silver solder.[1][2] It is used to add mild corrosion resistance, for appearance and to minimise light reflection.[3][4] To achieve maximum corrosion resistance the black oxide must be impregnated with oil or wax.[5] One of its advantages over other coatings is its minimal buildup.[4]

Ferrous materials

Hot black oxide

A hot bath of sodium hydroxide, nitrates, and nitrites,[5] at 141 °C (286 °F),[6] are used to convert the surface of the material into magnetite (Fe3O4).[3] Water must be periodically added to the bath, with proper controls to prevent a steam explosion.

Hot blackening involves dipping the part into various tanks. The workpiece is usually "dipped" by automated part carriers for transportation between tanks. These tanks contain, in order, alkaline cleaner, water, caustic soda at 140.5 °C (the blackening compound), and finally the sealant, which is usually oil. The caustic soda bonds chemically to the surface of the metal, creating a porous base layer on the part . Oil is then applied to the heated part, which seals it by "sinking" into the applied porous layer. It is the oil that prevents the corrosion of the workpiece. There are many advantages of blackening, mainly:

The oldest and most widely used specification for hot black oxide is MIL-DTL-13924, which covers four classes of processes for different substrates. Alternate specifications include AMS 2485, ASTM D769, and ISO 11408.

This is the process used to blacken wire ropes for theatrical applications and flying effects.

Mid temperature black oxide

Like hot black oxide, mid temperature black oxide converts the surface of the metal to magnetite (Fe3O4). However, mid temperature black oxide blackens at a temperature of 220–245 °F (104–118 °C), significantly less than hot black oxide. This is advantageous because it is below the boiling point, meaning there are no caustic fumes produced.[7]

Since mid temperature black oxide is most comparable to hot black oxide, it also can meet the military specification MIL-DTL-13924 as well as AMS 2485.[7]

Cold black oxide

Cold black oxide is applied at room temperature. It is not an oxide conversion coating, but rather a deposited copper selenium compound. Cold black oxide offers higher productivity and is convenient for in-house blackening. This coating produces a similar color to the one the oxide conversion does, but tends to rub off easily and offers less abrasion resistance. The application of oil, wax, or lacquer brings the corrosion resistance up to par with the hot and mid-temperature. One application for cold black oxide process would be in tooling and architectural finishing on steel (patina for steel).[8]

Copper

Black oxide for copper, sometimes known by the trade name Ebonol C, converts the copper surface to cupric oxide. For the process to work the surface has to have at least 65% copper; for copper surfaces that have less than 90% copper it must first be pretreated with an activating treatment. The finished coating is chemically stable and very adherent. It is stable up to 400 °F (204 °C); above this temperature the coating degrades due to oxidation of the base copper. To increase corrosion resistance the surface may be oiled, lacquered, or waxed. It is also used as a pre-treatment for painting or enamelling. The surface finish is usually satin, but it can be turned glossy by coating in a clear high gloss enamel.[9]

On a microscopic scale dendrites form on the surface finish, which trap light and increase absorptivity. Because of this property the coating is used in aerospace, microscopy and other optical applications to minimise light reflection.[9]

In printed circuit boards, the use of black oxide provides better adhesion for the fiberglass laminate layers.[10] The PCB is dipped in a bath containing hydroxide, hypochlorite, and cuprate, which becomes depleted in all three components. This indicates that the black copper oxide comes partially from the cuprate and partially from the PCB copper circuitry. Under microscopic examination, there is no copper(I) oxide layer.

An applicable U.S. military specification is MIL-F-495E.[11]

Stainless Steel

Hot Black Oxide[12] for Stainless Steel is a mixture of caustic, oxidizing, and sulfur salts. It blackens 300 and 400 series, and the precipitation hardened 17-4 PH stainless steel alloys. The solution can be used on cast iron and mild low carbon steel. The resulting finish complies with military specification MIL-DTL–13924D Class 4 and offers abrasion resistance.

Room temperature blackening[13] for stainless steel occurs via auto-catalytic reaction of copper-selenide depositing on the stainless steel surface. It offers less abrasion resistance and the same corrosion protection as the hot blackening process. One application for room temperature blackening is in architectural finishes (patina for stainless steel).

Zinc

Black oxide for zinc is also known by the trade name Ebonol Z.[14] Another product is Ultra-Blak 460,[15] which blackens zinc plated and galvanized surfaces without using any chrome and zinc die-casts.

References

Bibliography

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