No passwords, No popups, No cost, No AI:
we earn from 'affiliate link' purchases, making the site possible

Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

  The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989

-----

Blackening of 316 ss screws

September 5, 2012

Q. Hi everyone,
I'm looking for a way to dye 316 ss screws in black, without affecting their resistance to corrosion in seawater.
I read somewhere that black oxide will reduce the 316 resistance to corrosion, so that option is off the table...
Does anyone know something about the black-T technology, and how it will affect the screws?
If I just need to dye just the head of the screw, is there a simple way to do it by using a fine brush and a water resistant paint of some kind?

Thanks a lot,
Ofer

Ofer Libo
Student - Tel Aviv, Israel

A. Hi Ofer.

Black-T is a proprietary teflon-like, thin, dry-lube polymer coating from W.E. Birdsong, most commonly used on firearms. It is discussed on letter 668.

There are many different ways of blackening stainless steel: from black oxiding, to plating with black nickel or chrome, to anodizing, to e-coating. If you just want to dye them for identification, an indelible marker should work and sounds easiest.Organic coatings sound more likely to chip than metallic coatings when applying a tool to tighten or loosen the screws.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
September 5, 2012

Hi Ted, thanks for your quick response.
Q. Is there any specific method you could recommend, for use in a marine environment?
My fear is that the blackening would harm the SS corrosion resistance.

Thanks again,
Ofer

Ofer Libo
- Tel Aviv, Israel
September 9, 2012

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: