Metal workpieces generally undergo different machining and fabrication processes so that they can generate different types of products. Once these products are produced, manufacturers would often subject them to a wide array of surface finishing processes to effectively enhance their appearance, strength, and other significant qualities.
Surface finishing, as previously stated, can alter and improve the appearance, strength, and other properties of finished metal products. It can be done by different processes. Some of them can be conducted mechanically, while others are done through either chemical or electrical means.
One surface finishing that is done by chemical means is black oxide coating. It is typically conducted on products made from ferrous metals, allowing them to obtain significant property improvements.
The Process of Black Oxide Coating
The black oxide coating is a surface finishing process that introduces a protective barrier to ferrous products. This specific process is typically done by dipping the mentioned products into an alkaline salt solution, allowing the surface of these products to chemically react to the solution. The solution that is being utilised by this process can vary depending on the properties of the metal products. It may be applied at room temperature. It may also be done in either cold or hot processing methods. Some applications might likewise require components to be pre-treated.
Once the metal products interact with the solution, magnetite is generated on their surfaces, creating a protective barrier that will keep them safe from moisture and other damaging elements. The black colour of the magnetite is the main reason behind the name of this surface finishing process.
Different applications can maximise the process of the black oxide coating. For one, this process can be used on small moving parts such as gears, tools, and machine components. Black oxide coating can likewise be utilised in military applications, surgical instruments, and architectural assemblies.
Advantages of Black Oxide Coating
What makes black oxide coating great for some applications is that it can protect metal products from corrosion. Due to the development of magnetite on the surface of the products, it can easily protect them from moisture and elements that can generate corrosion. The process can even prevent hydrogen from infiltrating and damaging the products. It can likewise avoid the production of white corrosion.
Another advantage of black oxide coating is that does not add significant thickness to the dimensions of metal products. Since the process is done chemically, minimal dimensional changes can be expected to the processed products. This advantage alone makes the process great for small and intricate products.
Ultimately, black oxide coating can be beneficial for some applications as it can boost the appearance of metal products. The protective coating of the magnetite prevents the products from peeling, flaking, chipping, or rubbing off, preserving their appearance effectively. The dark black colour coating likewise makes the metal products appealing for some applications. This colour can even minimise eye fatigue and light glare that can distract a lot of people.
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Raw ferrous and non-ferrous metal materials must be handled and processed properly to ensure that they can be utilised in a wide array of applications. And to achieve this, manufacturers must apply and conduct specific heat treatment methods so that these materials can sustain remarkable properties.
The continuous improvements over the heat treatment methods have allowed metallurgists to come up with metal materials that are cost-efficient and long-lasting. When conducted properly, these metal materials can certainly attain physical and chemical properties that can make them useful in the long run. Heat treatment methods can specifically relieve stress, making the metal materials easier to process. They can also generate metal materials that are sturdy, strong, flexible, and wear resistant.
Basic Properties of Non-Ferrous Metals
One type of metal materials that can be processed by manufacturers is non-ferrous metal. Non-ferrous metals are metals or alloys that do not contain iron in huge amounts, making them softer and more malleable. Other properties that non-ferrous metals contain include high corrosion resistance, low density, and excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. They are also easy to fabricate and non-magnetic. All these properties allow these metals to be useful in a lot of applications.
A lot of popular metals and alloys are part of the non-ferrous classification. One of these is copper. Copper, with the integration of alloys brass and bronze, has been useful in generating mechanical components and devices that are intended for industrial applications. Another non-ferrous metal that is popular nowadays is aluminium due to its lightweight, high ductility, and corrosion resistant. This type of metal has been very useful in creating automotive parts, consumer electronics, and household components. Lead and zinc are likewise part of the non-ferrous metal category.
Heat Treatment of Non-Ferrous Metals
Numerous heat treatment methods can be conducted on non-ferrous metals. Two of these methods are solution heat treating and annealing.
Solution heat treatment is the heating of non-ferrous metal or alloy to an appropriate temperature, holding it for a specific time until one or more of its elements enter into a solid solution. Subsequently, the whole non-ferrous metal or alloy is cooled rapidly or quenched so that the elements will be held effectively. To ensure that the metal or alloy will not revert to its original configuration, aging and precipitation hardening will be consequently conducted. These steps help the non-ferrous metal attain greater tensile strength.
Annealing, alternatively, is conducted to boost the ductility of the non-ferrous metal or alloy and, at the same time, reduce its overall hardness. This process can be conducted in metals or alloys that are still heat-treatable. During the annealing process, the metal or alloy is subjected to heat at a certain temperature. Subsequently, the metal or alloy will be cooled slowly to room temperature. The slow cooling process of annealing allows the metal or alloy to generate a refined microstructure.
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