Birchwood Technologies Offers Free Finishing Process Sampling

Manufacturers of iron, steel, aluminum, brass, copper, bronze and other metal parts can now evaluate Birchwood Technologies’ finishing options with its free part process sampling offer. Intended to demonstrate the quality and feasibility of specific Birchwood Technologies processes, this sampling trial gives manufacturers recommended finishes designed for their particular part application.

Interested manufacturers can send between five and 10 unfinished parts along with the sample request form, and Birchwood Technologies will process the parts in its lab. The company then provides complete process details and returns the finished parts.

Manufacturers can test:

• Blackening of iron and steel parts: Widely used on many types of tooling and machine components, the Tru Temp low-temperature black oxide process forms a durable, black magnetite finish that complies with Mil-DTL-13924 Class One and withstands up to 120 hours of salt spray exposure when sealed with an appropriate rust preventive.
• Blackening of aluminum parts: Ideal for precision-machined aluminum components, the Lumiclad electroless black oxide process forms a smooth, durable black finish 0.000060" (1.5 micron) thick.
• Finishing of brass, bronze, copper and zinc parts: Birchwood offers a range of “Antique Brown” and “Antique Black” finishes for applying patinas to brass, bronze, copper and zinc parts for decorative or functional purposes. These finishes are commonly used on door hardware, fasteners, and architectural or sculpture applications.
• Aluminum-oxide and zinc-phosphate finishing of iron and steel parts: Birchwood’s aluminum-oxide and zinc-phosphate processes are said to be ideal for parts that don't require a black finish, but do require a protective grey coating.

The company’s professional finishing experts turn around sample parts with recommendations within one week.