"Self-colored" finish / "self-colored" chain

A. Hi Charles. "Self-colored" is just slang for "plain" or "unfinished" or "no plating or coating". Further, this piece of slang seems to never have found its way outside of the chain industry. Google "self colored finish" and you'll probably find no other references except to chain.

Slang is not a specification and you can't put a fine point on it. Thus the chain may look different depending on grade and heat treatment, and it may or may not have been dipped in some sort of rust preventative. One reason for plain finish is just economy -- it costs money to zinc plate or galvanize chain.

Regards,

Q. This self-colored finish seems to mainly be used for Grade 43 (not so much for other grades). And often used as a logging chain. Hardware stores specifically sell a logging chain with hooks that is grade 43, self-colored.

Is there something about grade 43 or the logging industry that prefers a self-colored/plain/no finish chain?

A. Hi again. I'm not from the logging industry, so I wouldn't know if unplated chain offers some particular advantage for that industry. But my guess is simply that they want strong inexpensive chain cheap because of lost chains, abrasion of the coatings anyway, etc. Avoiding plating, galvanizing, hydrogen embrittlement relief, etc., certainly saves cost.

Regards,

A. I have a couple of welding projects I like to make. Welding on uncoated steel is easy and predictable. Welding on anything coated with zinc is very unpleasant. The arc spits and pops. Welds are a lower quality. And, the fumes are harmful to humans.