Summary for bluing on spring steel Discussion
bluing on spring steel is discussed as a possible finish for Belleville spring washers made from EN-42J/C-80/AISI-1074, but the answer warns that bluing alone will not prevent rust. Mayank Kulshrestha says the parts are rusting within days and cannot be plated, oiled, or painted because the customer does not want those finishes. The reply explains that the washers can be hot blued or cold blued, with hot bluing preferred, but bluing must be followed by oiling; without oil, the steel will rust immediately just like bare steel. The practical advice is that the user needs to negotiate a proper surface-finish specification with the customer, since bare steel flash-rusts quickly. The thread does not offer a non-oil alternative that is both effective and acceptable under the stated constraints.
Q. I’m in to development of Belleville Spring Washer, for this I’m using Spring Steel(EN-42J/C-80/AISI-1074). I’m facing a problem that within a couple of days the components catch rust. We cannot do any kind of plating or oiling or painting since the same is not required by my customer. Someone over here told me that I can do Bluing on it.
My questions are: Can Bluing prevent rusting on Spring steel? If not then is their any other alternative. Can I perform Bluing on Spring Steel? AT what conditions I shall do the Bluing.
Mayank Kulshrestha
steel and aluminium components mfgr. – Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India
2004
A. The washers can be hot blued or cold blued (hot bluing is better), but then they need to be oiled. Bluing without oil will rust immediately as will bare steel. You need to work out with your customer a proper surface finishing specification because bare steel flash rusts as you have already discovered. Good luck.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com – Pine Beach, New Jersey
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