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Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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Help on darkening stainless steel ball bearings

Hello, We are a manufacturer of slip indicators for aircraft and we use steel ball bearings as an indicator in a glass tube with dampening fluid (usually alcohol) to tell the pilot if the tail of the aircraft is slipping. We are currently trying to darken 6mm stainless steel balls for this application since they are non-magnetic (aircraft requirement). Does anybody have any suggestions on how to darken the balls yet retaining a nice smooth gloss finish? Once deposited in the glass tube with the fluid the surface becomes magnified so the finish must not be the typical matt black anodized finish. Any help would greatly be appreciated.

Ned Denigan
- Phila, Pennsylvania, USA
2000

Ned -

Try having the parts black oxided. The finish on SS is resistant to alcohol.

(Find a shop in your area that uses Black Magic SS).

Dan Brewer
chemical process supplier - Gurnee, Illinois
2000

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