Recommended coatings for spring Steel (65Mn, 1065...)

[3dlogix]

Hello;

I am looking at what is ideal for finishing spring steel to have:

1) Bright, polished-like finish
2) Black, dull finish

I am thinking nickel plated, and black phosphate or black oxide.

Application is for a belt clip, with outdoor use.

I look forward to your assistance.

Steve

http://www.3dlogix.com

http://www.sprdesign.com

 

[unclesyd]

Dark is no probelm as you can even start with blue steel and it very easy to blacken a spring such as yours.

 

[unclesyd]

Adding a little to my previous post getting your spring steel would have to be plated as you state, the only thing is that decorative Electroless Nickel isn't very hard so you would need to use a hardenable type and the heat treating temperature would affect you spring rate. You could use something like 17/7 PH stainless steel that would be pretty hard and corrosion resistant too.


For black I would look at Birchwood Caseys 290°F blackening process.

http://www.birchwoodcasey.com/presto/index.html

http://www.heatbath.com/heatbath/products

 

[3dlogix]

Great, thanks for your reply, something to consider in the process.

Steve

http://www.3dlogix.com

http://www.sprdesign.com

 

[unclesyd]

One thing I should have added is that neither EN is very flexible so if you have a lot of travel in you spring the 17/7 PH would be a better option.

Depending on the spring action and configuration required of the springs you maybe able to use a work hardened SS one for the shiny one.