letter 53543

Matching dark blue/black finish on 6al-4v titanium and 304 stainless [Indiana] 

November 4, 2009

I've got a multi-part assembly consisting of two different materials, 6al-4v titanium, and 304 stainless steel.

the customer request on this is that the different parts be essentially indistinguishable from each other, and they want a finish similar to a cold gun-blued finish.

My thoughts/attempts went initially to some sort of coating, either wet sprayed, or powdercoated, but we have been thusfar unable to locate any coating that matches the tone of a gunblued piece. Furthermore, the preference would be for something that does not add thickness to the piece, and has significant abrasion resistance (ruling out powdercoat and paint.)

I am aware of cold-bluing products that are available for use on the stainless steel, but nothing that would perform a similar function on the titanium (much less similar enough to be indistinguishable)

does anyone have any suggestions?

Derek Stiver
custom manufacturer/fabricator - Noblesville, Indiana, USA

I am not aware of anything that will comply with all of your requirements. If you can stand a bright silvery material, go to electroless nickel.

James Watts
- FL