Black oxide provides blackened parts break-in lubricity for gear applications

Birchwood Technologies has developed the TRU TEMP® low-temperature black oxide process as an in-house metal finishing process for gear component manufacturers desiring break-in lubricity, corrosion protection, and galling resistance on critical components.

The process creates a nondimensional finish, maintaining the same material hardness and load-bearing properties. Operating at 200 degrees, the blackening line forms a satin black magnetite finish that protects critical surfaces in storage, shipment, and start-up, resists galling; and aids in break-in. The process takes 30 min.

The finish, which is Mil Spec- and RoHS-compliant, withstands up to 120 hours of neutral salt spray or several hundred hours of humidity.