Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Black Optical Coatings on 316L Stainless Steel
Q. I have an application where we need to decrease the parasitic optical reflections on a 316L stainless steel part. The used light is around 890nm wavelength.
What kind of black optical coatings are available?
Do you have any ideas on where I can look for this information?
Thank you for your help.
- Switzerland
1999
A. I have seen black chromated alkaline zinc used over brass laser timing gears for an optical timing device which had similar optical requirements. In this case prior to black zinc, a woods nickel would be required in order to zinc plate the stainless. The black chromate had to be baby sat during the chromating operation due to the high QA requirements.
Ward Barcafer, CEFaerospace - Wichita, Kansas
1999
A. Try a room temp black oxide coating. Although this is not a true black oxide, it should provide a reasonably dulled almost matte finish.
Dan Brewerchemical process supplier - Gurnee, Illinois
1999
A. We use a process that produces a nice black iron oxide coat with a matte finish. We vacuum bake the parts to use in our UHV vessel. Usually there is some loose amount oxide that we wipe off/lightly sonicate. The specification for the process is:
MIL-DTL-13924
[on DLA]
For a matte finish that it is vacuum compatible you MUST also specify:
NO OIL, NO WAX, NO SEAL
NO TESTING
- Irvine, California, USA
August 27, 2009
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