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-----Black Oxide Corrosion Resistance
I have been reading on your site about Black Oxide finishes. The consensus seems to be the corrosion resistance of Black Oxide finishes are marginal at best. I have a steel product that will be in an exposed outdoor environment its entire product life. Is black oxide suitable for such an application? How might it compare to powder coating in corrosions resistance and durability?
Thank you for your time,
John Bomgren- Sheldon, Iowa, USA
2003
No, the black oxided product will not be suitable for outdoor exposure. Powder coating, properly applied on a pretreated substrate, has the potential of being fine.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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2003
True "Black Oxide" and most of the so called substitutes derive ALL of their corrosion protection from the top coat which is either oil, wax, or lacquer; all of which degrade in outside exposure. The Black Oxide itself has zero protection. As Ted said, powder coat is the best protection for out side.

Robert H Probert
Robert H Probert Technical Services
Garner, North Carolina

2003
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