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-----How to avoid the rust?
Q. Hello!
In some applications, I am using as fasteners black oxide coated screws. When I am using these fasteners to assemble steel painted elements, after a period of time, the screws and the taped holes of the steel parts will develop rust. How can I prevent this to happen, or, at least, increase the life, "rust free" of my assemblies? I am interested to improve MIL-DTL-13924 [⇦ this spec on DLA] of the hardware and (or) to do a local treatment of the taped holes of my steel parts. What do you recommend?
Thank you in advance,
Octav Nour- Beverly, Massachusetts
A. Hi Octav. Look into zinc-iron plating followed by black chromating of the screws. This will definitely protect the screws much longer and, with luck, will also protect the tapped holes. Good luck.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
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Ted,
Thank you for the advice.
Regards,
Octav Nour- Beverly, Massachusetts
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