I'm building a project where non structural external parts will be made of different steels due to availability of appropriate shapes, 4140 tubing, 1018 ground flat stock, etc. Also many bits could be made from misc mild steel from the short ends bin. I'm wondering if they will come out noticeably different colors after parkerizing?
Parkerizing question, will different steel alloys come out diferent colors?
- Thread starter charles u farley
- Start date
The texture can sometimes be different. Harder steel sometimes comes out feeling smoother. I've seen some hard stuff come out almost like it was blued. Softer material feels rough. I think a lot depends on the person doing the parkerising and the solution used
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- Location
- Ottawa origanally Muskoka
Most definitely will. Any variation in the composition of the steel will effect how it reacts to various caustic solutions, both alkaline and acidic.
1018 will have: 0.15-0.20% Carbon (0.18% being the standard) 0.6-0.9% Manganese 0.04% phosphorus and 0.05% sulfur with the remainder being iron.
Now 4140 will have: 0.38-0.43% Carbon (0.40% being the standard) 0.75-1.00% Manganese 0.034% phosphorus 0.040% Sulphur 0.15.0.35% silicon 0.8-1.1% Chromium and 0.15-0.25% Molybdenum with the remainder iron
For example; the addition of chromium alone will cause 4140 to resist the effects of the parkerization or bluing differently than 1018. This is why guns like ruggers have barrels and receivers that don't match in color. The two respective parts being composed of differing alloys
1018 will have: 0.15-0.20% Carbon (0.18% being the standard) 0.6-0.9% Manganese 0.04% phosphorus and 0.05% sulfur with the remainder being iron.
Now 4140 will have: 0.38-0.43% Carbon (0.40% being the standard) 0.75-1.00% Manganese 0.034% phosphorus 0.040% Sulphur 0.15.0.35% silicon 0.8-1.1% Chromium and 0.15-0.25% Molybdenum with the remainder iron
For example; the addition of chromium alone will cause 4140 to resist the effects of the parkerization or bluing differently than 1018. This is why guns like ruggers have barrels and receivers that don't match in color. The two respective parts being composed of differing alloys
I agree. You can see this when re-parking an M1 Garand where parts are made of different steels. Softer steels seem to come out a bit darker than the harder parts. Variations in color also come from the type of surface preparation and the strength of the Parkerizing solution. Manganese based Parkerizing solution will yield a black color. Zinc based park will result in a grey color.
