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Cold dip black oxides
What are cold dip black oxide coatings made of?
Raymond Lyle
- Louisville, Kentucky, USA
I think selenium compounds. But they are proprietary so you would need to ask the supplier.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Ted is available for instant help
or longer-term assistance.
They are copper selenide coatings.
Steve Loudermilk
- Springdale, Arkansas
There is no such animal as "cold black oxide" or "room temperature black oxide." They are actually room temperature BLACKENING and use POISON selenium compounds. Ask your local sewer authority if it's OK to rinse them down the drain? Pitty you if you discharge to a stream or lake and get caught.
They work but beware of what they don't tell you. If they say they're environmentally safe, ask them if they want them back.
Milt Stevenson, Jr.
Plating shop technical manager - Syracuse, New York
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