HOME FAQs BOOKS JOBS: Help Wanted Suggestions you are here: Hotline/Forum => Letter 19006
Black Finish for Stainless Steel
+
RFQ: I produce a product that uses 1/2 stainless steel tube which I think looks great, but my customers want it finished black. Powder coating isn't hard enough to meet my needs. Can anyone lead me to someone who can take small quantities (500 lengths 6", 8", 10" long) and finish them with something similar to a black anodized finish on aluminum.
David J [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Vancouver B.C Canada
^- Sorry! This RFQ is outdated -^
+++
Q. Hello,
I recently ran across this site and thought some of you might be able to help me. I am Mechanical Designer and I am working on a project that requires a Black Finish or Coating for some stainless steel parts. These part are going to be used on an Air Craft Coffee Brewer, so the finish needs to be resistant to corrosion, steam, and chemicals. The parts are bent sheet metal and a shaft with bent sheet metal welded on to form a lever. The shaft will rotate and be installed using nylon bearings, So minimal thickness of any coating or finish is important as well. These parts are highly visible and the appearance is an issue along with the environmental issues. Can you suggest any finish specification that I might look into? Would black oxide hold up over time in such an environment? Or should I look in another direction?
Thanks in advance for any assistance on this issue.
Ken Simpson- Sterling, Virginia
+++A. Powder coating would work well for your problem its very durable and comes in many colors........
Nathanael Darity
- Cowpens, South Carolina
+++A. I can suggest black oxide finish. It is not highly durable, however covered with any acceptable clear lacquer can work. The picture below shows samples from light grey to dark black (can be matte also).
Anna Berkovich
Russamer Lab
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
+++A. At Anoplate "BLACK IS OUR KNACK." We offer several different blacks from black nickel (actually a rather transparent grey nickel) to black chrome, etc. We'd be glad to furnish samples if you'd ship up actual samples.
Milt Stevenson, Jr.
Anoplate Corp
Syracuse, New York
August 16, 2010A. I would suggest you to use titanium colored stainless steel sheets. High wear resistance and durability, several colors and surface finishings available.
Kim Sierra
- Sant Fruitos de Bages, Spain
+++++++
Q. Is black oxide different than bluing as in bluing guns? And if it is, there'll be no thickness added to the parts?
And bluing is also reasonably durable?
Thanks- Write back
- Oxon hill, Maryland USA
+++++++A. Yes, Lee, they are the same thing. Virtually no thickness will be added. Durability is relative, but yes, it is durable enough for some guns.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
November 22, 2011
Q. Is there a way to blacken S.S that is FDA safe? Please let me know.
Dave Horvath- Troy, Michigan, USA
November 23, 2011
A. Hi, Dave.
The titanium coating (PVD process) and the anodizing process sound most promising to me. But please describe your situation as such processes may only be workable for certain shapes of parts, may not be applicable to assemblies, may have limited wear resistance, etc.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
finishing.com
Brick, New Jersey
November 25, 2011A. FDA safe and wear resistant black (bright or matte) finish is available. All shapes and forms can be colored. Black color survives multiple pressure sterilization procedures, and has been tested on surgical instruments. Contact us for more information.
Anna Berkovich
Russamer Lab
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
