Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question:  Does Black Oxide come in other colors?

Answer:  No.  Black Oxide is a natural reaction of the metal with the Black Oxide bath.  This finish can vary from shiny parts with a tight smooth and/or hardened surface to matte parts with a porous non-hardened surface.  An oil post-treatment will help give a shiny finish.  A wax or rust inhibitor will make the finish matte.

Question:  Can Aluminum be black oxided?

Answer:  No, anodizing is often times confused with black oxide.  Aluminum will actually dissolve in a black oxide bath.

Question:  What does dry to the touch mean?

Answer:  This is a subjective term that means something different to everyone.  In the industry it describes the degree of oil on the surface of the part.  An oil finish can give a feel of no oil, light oil or oily.

Question:  Can Stainless Steel be Black Oxided?

Answer:  Yes.  Stainless steel can be blackened to Mil-C-13924 Class 4

Question:  Can Copper/Brass/or Bronze be Black Oxided?

Answer:  Yes.  All three materials can be blackened to Mil F-495.

Question:  Will the Black Oxide coating crack or fracture if the part is bent or twisted after Black Oxide?

Answer:  No.  Black Oxide is an integral formed surface of the metal that allows for forming of the part.

Question:  Can Zinc or Chrome plated parts be Black Oxided?

Answer:  No.  Black Oxide will not blacken over zinc or chrome or any other plating finishes.  However, we do have the capabilities of stripping zinc plating and would therefore be able to plate parts that are stripped.  This only applies to the zinc plated parts.

Question:  Can blackened parts be re-plated?

Answer:  Yes.  This can be achieved by stripping the plating first and then re-applying the Black Oxide finish.

Some of our customers are:

Solar Turbines, Goodrich Aerostructures, Autosplice, General Dynamics, Rockwell Collins, Honeywell,

Asigma, Alturdyne, VQ Orthocare, Vertech   and many more….