91´«Ã½ Offers Black Coating
At its new Keystone facility, adjacent to the Souderton operation, 91´«Ã½ has updated its steam operations that provide a black oxide coating for ferrous parts.  A steam furnace has been refurbished with a new electrical power supply and a microprocessor controller.
Steam treating bonds a black coating to ferrous parts and improves part life. Â The tenacious oxide (FeO4) coating prevents rust and increases surface lubricity. Â In addition, the process is environmentally clean.
As an alternative to chemical bath treatments, parts are heated to temperatures from 850° to 1050°F.  Steam is introduced at 600° F to purge air.  A positive steam atmosphere is present during the entire treating cycle.  There are no costly cleanup or disposal problems associated with chemical processes.  Specifically, this means no white salt residue located in deep crevices, blind holes or keyways.
Materials treated include cast iron, tool steel, alloy steel, powdered metals. Â Types of parts treated are twist drills, taps, reamers, brackets, nuts and bolts. Â Contact Ken Bauhof, Sales Engineer, for other application possibilities (800.347.3236, jkb@solaratm.com).