| Search our quarter-million Q&As |
Home of the finishing HOTLINE since 1989
-----What is blackened steel?
Q. What is blackened steel; a finish? What is best way to specify this?
If a finish, is it typically done to a specific type of steel for this effect?
Eg. blackened steel treads and risers for a stair.
Thanks
Specifier - Morganville, New Jersey
2007
A. I don't think that "blackened steel" is a codename or special industry lingo for anything, Ann; I think it really just means steel that has been blackened in some way. So "black oxided" may be as good a definition as any. In this process the steel is cleaned, acid activated, then dipped into a vat of hot strong caustic plus some nitrates or other oxidizers, which forms a black oxide product on the surface. While it's applicable to most any kind of steel, I don't think it's terribly durable or very rust resistant. So if you want a more durable coating you may need to specify a black nickel plating, black chrome plating, or zinc plating with black chromate conversion coating.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Need quick confidential answers? $25
Need project assistance? $100/hr.
2007
Thank you Ted.
- Morganville, New Jersey
2007
Sorry! Finishing.com is temporarily Read-Only.
Ted Mooney is retiring but I have several offers to take it over.
We're working hard to make sure we find it the best new home.