The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
  

  -----

Black Chromate Alternatives

I would like to implement a blackening process into an automated zinc electroplate line. All parts that need blackening will be low carbon steal. I've looked into black chromate, however EHS issues have brought this project to a screeching halt. Can anyone help me determine an alternative to black chromate that will not have severe EHS issues, can be implemented into an automated line, and produce a black appearance similar to black chromate? Is there any black dye's that may work? Corrosion resistance is not a serious concern. Thanks for your help

Michael Ronzello
- Plainville, Connecticut
1999

---

HI.

USE E-COAT! IT IS VERY FRIENDLY.

Arie Porat
furniture mfgr. - Israel
1999

---

Arie is right, black e-coat is excellent but regretfully quite expensive to start with. You can use a blackening process based on nickel-zinc for electroplated zinc. It is not chromated and therefore does not have the same corrosion resistance as a chromate but it is black and uniform. I am not talking about a zinc-nickel alloy plating, it is a zinc nickel blackening process.

Sara Michaeli
Tel-Aviv-Yafo, Israel
1999

Michael, I know Canning-Gumm had a dip black lacquer product that produced a good black. Macdermid has now absorbed Canning-Gumm so they may still offer the product. I believe it was called "Black Top Seal".

J. Pons
- Greenville, South Carolina
1999