Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Black oxide start up help

I am in automotive manufacturing. Looking to set up a small separate Black Oxide Facility. Looking for information on a basic " bare bones " set up to get started. Any advice (how to set up the process, chemical needs, etc.) also, are their any major environmental issues regarding the disposal ?

Thanks..

Kir E [last name deleted for privacy by Editor]
- Sterling Heights, Michigan
2003

What you need to do is to have a conference with at least two vendors of Black Oxide chemicals. They will also sell the tanks, but with a healthy markup. Depending on your definition of small, they will be more than happy to visit you. They can also bury you with technical information if you request it. All metal working operations have some degree of haz waste handling. After you have found out what is in the processes from the MSDS sheet, talk to the local, and state EPA folks. It is a lot easier to find out what they will be looking for before you start, than when they just "drop in". Black oxide is one of the lower tech finishing processes, but has its own idiosyncrasies and can be very dangerous because of the high liquid temperatures. Think about how you add water to 260 F solution. It can virtually blow up.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida
2003