Summary for stainless steel coating coloring Discussion
stainless steel coating/colouring is the core issue here: Chris Tissiman asked whether a 3CR12 stainless part that will be bashed around and used in a saline environment should be chemically coloured or coated, with dimensional accuracy favoring chemical treatment if possible. The only answer in the thread, from Anna Berkovich of Russamer Lab, says stainless parts can be "perfectly colored or blackened in bright durable colors" and notes that coloring is used to mark surgical instruments. Her reply supports the idea that stainless can be colored durably, but it does not compare specific coating systems or explain which method is best for abrasion resistance in saline service. So the thread’s practical takeaway is that durable coloring of stainless is possible, but the discussion does not provide a full process recommendation for this application.
Q. Hi
I am designing a stainless (3CR12) part that needs to be coloured in various colours (for aesthetics). The part will be bashed around a lot. I do not know whether chemically colouring, or coating the part would be best. Chemical treating would be better for dimensional accuracy so it would be preferred if it is possible. The part must be stainless because it will be used in a saline environment.
Thank you for your help.
Chris Tissiman
– Pretoria, South Africa
January 9, 2012
A. Stainless parts can be perfectly colored or blackened in bright durable colors. In fact we use coloring to mark surgical instruments.
Anna Berkovich
Russamer Lab – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
(ed. update July, 2025: sorry, Anna has retired)
January 10, 2012