Simple question(s)

[mjrducky]

Why do they call the finish on the gun blue? I presume it has something to do with the process or the actual material?

Second is it ok to call the gun black if it is in fact blued? Are they interchangeable?

Thanks for the insight.

 

[JByer323]

Bluing is a passivation process in which steel is partially protected against rust, and is named after the blue-black appearance of the resulting protective finish. True gun bluing is an electrochemical conversion coating resulting from an oxidizing chemical reaction with iron on the surface selectively forming magnetite (Fe3O4), the black oxide of iron, which occupies the same volume as metallic iron. Black oxide provides minimal protection against corrosion, unless also treated with a water-displacing oil to reduce wetting and galvanic action.

Continue to read...

 

[Indecision]

Interesting read.

 

[IndyGunworks]

bluing salts are potasium nitrate, sodium nitrate, and sodium nitrite.... it has a PH of approx. 10-13 and needs to be heated to just shy of 300 degrees.