Both blackening and black zinc are phenomena where black appears on the surface, but their causes and treatment methods are different.
Author: Marisa
I. The difference between blackening and black zinc
Blackening refers to the phenomenon that after a metal or alloy undergoes a chemical reaction in the environment, the surface is oxidized or a layer of black oxide is produced by the chemical reaction. Blackening is usually caused by the environment. For example, the surface is exposed to the air for a long time or corroded by moisture, acid, alkaline and other chemical substances, which may cause blackening.
Black zinc refers to a layer of black oxide film formed on the surface of specially treated zinc materials. During the manufacturing process, the zinc material undergoes a series of processes such as pickling, phosphating and oxidation treatment, and finally forms a hard, smooth and dense oxide film on the surface. This oxide film can protect the zinc material from being corroded by the external environment and also has a good decorative effect.
II. The difference in treatment methods
For blackened items, some methods can be used to clean or repair them. For example, applying a layer of antioxidant on the metal surface can prevent further oxidation and reduce or eliminate the problem of blackening. For items with severe rust and rust, sandpaper, wire brushes and other tools can be used to remove the rusted parts, and anti-rust oil or anti-rust paint can be applied on the surface for protection.
As for black zinc, since its oxide film is formed by special treatment, the above methods cannot be used for repair or cleaning. When using black zinc products, you should try to avoid collision, friction or scratching to avoid damage to the oxide film. If cleaning is required, you can use clean water or neutral detergent to clean the surface.
III. Conclusion
Both blackening and black zinc are phenomena where the surface appears black, but their causes and treatment methods are different. Blackening is caused by the environment, and the treatment method is mainly cleaning or repair; while black zinc refers to a layer of black oxide film formed on the surface of specially treated zinc materials, and the treatment method is to take protective measures to avoid damage to the oxide film.