AnoBlack Ni

One of a family of proprietary black coatings for optical and decorative use

AnoBlack Ni is an electrodeposited gray to black coating intended for darkening brass, bronze, and steel surfaces. It is particularly useful where minimal distraction of the operator's vision is desired as in the interior of optical instruments.

The coating itself is on the order of millionths of an inch thick so provides limited corrosion resistance. Where improved corrosion resistance is necessary, AnoBlack Ni is typically applied over a nickel underplate. The type of nickel bath used, that is whether bright or matte, will dictate how the AnoBlack Ni will appear. Generally, the duller the underplate, the less black and more grey the
coating will be. Thus, the blackest AnoBlack Ni coatings tend to also be the brightest and are suggested for decorative applications only.

Surface characterization of AnoBlack Ni coatings show that it is a mixture of nickel, zinc, and their sulfides. Oxygen in the form of hydroxides can also be detected using Auger spectroscopy.

Typical solar absorptance values obtained from spectral reflectance curves over a wavelength range of 1/2 to 2 1/2 microns are from 0.88 to 0.96. The infrared emittance over the same wavelength range ranges from 0.07 to 0.10. These initial values degrade noticeably due to conversion of sulfides to hydroxides- in the outer zone of the AnoBlack Ni coating.

Unlike black chrome with its limited ability to cover, AnoBlack Ni is applied at low voltage permitting improved throwing and covering power.

AnoBlack Ni coatings exceed the requirements of military specification MIL-P-18317 and commercial specifications governing such coatings.

Prime Applications

• Optical components including microscopes and automated aligning devices for vision systems.
  
• Communication headsets where less reflectance is functionally desireable.
  
• Lamp housings where internal coverage is required.

• Can be applied to nearly any substrate including aluminum, plastic, stainless, and titanium.
  
• Permits barrel plating of large volumes of small parts.
  
• Ideal for medical or clean room applications since coating has no smut or residue.

If your substrate is Aluminum, check out our AnoBlack EC coating. Anoplate’s two-step anodize (electrolytic coloring) for Medical, Optics and Aerospace applications.