To perform the test, I took the spacers I had made for my new 6-jaw chuck backplate and compared the results. For fun I compared the finish from two Brownell’s cold bluing products:ĭicropan T-4 and Oxpho-Blue Creme Cold Bluing Testīoth the Dicropan T-4 and the Oxpho-Blue Creme came as creams, which made them easier to apply. They’re very easy to apply, requiring only a thorough degreasing before application. Quick and Easy Cold Bluing and Black Oxide KitsĬold bluing uses acids to put an oxidized finish on steel at room temperatures, or close to it. For small batches and the DIY’er, the cold processes are much easier to deal with. If you need the additional protection, most shops will send parts out for Hot Bluing rather than deal with the mess in the shop. The application of oil, wax, or lacquer will bring the corrosion resistance up to par with the heated processes. The Cold processes produce a similar color, but the coating tends to rub off more easily and offer less abrasion resistance. Hot Black Oxide converts the surface into Magnetite. Hot Black Oxide involves hot baths of sodium hydroxide (the nasty stuff in drain cleaner), nitrates, and nitrites. It is a deposited copper selenium compound. How Does it Compare to the Older Hot Methods?Ĭold Black Oxide is not an oxide conversion coating. The chemicals associated with these treatments convert a surface layer of the steel to magnetite. Okay, so why bother coating steel with Cold Bluing or Black Oxide? Some of the oldest examples appear in ancient Japanese swords. At first a thin coating of oil was used to prevent corrosion in iron and steel, but eventually bluing processes were invented to provide much better protection. The art of bluing steel has been used with firearms since the very beginning, but bluing is much older than firearms. The exact materials yo can blacken will be based on the recommendations of the makers of the particular chemicals or kit you use. You can blacken a number of materials including ferrous materials, stainless steel, copper, copper alloys, zinc, powdered metals, and silver solder. With Cold Bluing and Black Oxide, the chemicals are much milder and no heat is required. Older methods required that parts be submerged in vats of dangerous boiling chemicals. What is Cold Bluing and Black Oxide for Steel?īluing and Black Oxides are essentially the same thing.
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