Black Oxide for Stainless Applications Provides Clean Finish

Photo Credit: Birchwood Technologies

Tru Temp Stainless Black Oxide from Birchwood Technologies is used as part of a two-stage chemical reaction, beginning with an activation step using a dilute muriatic acid solution. The stainless steel surface is then oxidized to form the uniform black coating, which can be sealed with an appropriate rust-preventive topcoat for desired appearance and corrosion resistance.

Tru Temp Stainless Black Oxide forms a black magnetite finish when applied on stainless steel parts and is effective for finishing series 200, 300, 400 and 17-4 pH stainless steel, according to the company. Tru Temp creates a protective black finish — 0.000020" (1 micron) thick — which provides a satiny black appearance equal to that of hot black oxide.

Operating effectively at 200° to 210°F, Tru Temp Stainless finishes parts at much lower temperatures than traditional hot black oxide that operates at 250-260°F. Additionally, Tru Temp Stainless uses no chrome in the formulation, unlike other stainless finishes, and uses 30-40% less caustic content, making Tru Temp more user-friendly and environmentally friendly.

Birchwood Technologies says finishing parts is quick, and the most common finishing line configuration completes the blackening in under an hour using a seven-step process that includes cleaning, rinsing, activation, rinsing, blackening, rinsing and sealing. Alternative process designs and custom or automated finishing systems are said to be able to be accommodated for most workflows.

Tru Temp Stainless aims to make it easy and fast to supply customers within their time requirements. By using an in-house finishing system, a company can achieve cycle time reductions, inventory reductions and overall process improvements. ISO accountability is improved, and Tru Temp Stainless meets compliancy initiatives, including MIL-DTL-13924 Class 4 compliant.    

Birchwood Technologies | 952-937-7931 | birchwoodtechnologies.com