Letter 9097

Blackening Stainless Steel 

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Hi,

I am also interested in blackening of stainless steel surgical instruments. The finished product is used in laser surgery aka laser finished instruments.The final product should be a high quality, durable black satin finish.

More information will be greatly appreciated.

Andre Keeve
- Atlanta, Georgia

I am also interested in blackening af Stainless steal. I make etching in knive blades as is covered with Wax. The stainles steal I use is RWL34. The color method must not destroy the wax layer, as it is only the lines as I have drawn in the wax as shall be black.

Lars Tougaard
- Faaborg, Denmark

Dear Lars,

Consider doing your artwork on a paper stencil and using an electrochemical etch to create the black markings on the steel. The cost of the markers is fairly low and the paper stencils can be made inexpensively. If the wax is a "hard" wax applied thinly, and does not move under pressure, it may work as well as the paper in keeping the chemicals form these areas of the steel.

Try looking for "electrochemical marking" with your favorite Internet search engine to find commercial suppliers for the equipment and chemicals.

The depth of penetration should be between 0.010 mm and 0.100 mm, depending on the chemical and the polarity of the electricity you choose. AC is less, DC is more.

Dave Hass
- Oklahoma City, USA

For Black color in Stainless steel surgical parts only PVD coatings are recomended such as TiCN or AlTiN ( Titanium carbo nitride or Aluminium Titanium Nitride). There are other colors also possible. These are Thin film coatings and suitable for all surgical and Body implants.

C.Lokanathan
PVD shop - Hosur, Tamilnadu, India

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