BRITISH STANDARD |

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11408:1999
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Chemical conversion |
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coatings Ð Black oxide |
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coating on iron and |
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steel Ð Specification |
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and test methods |
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ICS 25.220.20 |
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NO COPYING WITHOUT BSI PERMISSION EXCEPT AS PERMITTED BY COPYRIGHT LAW
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BS ISO 11408:1999

National foreword
This British Standard reproduces verbatim ISO 11408:1999 and implements it as the
UK national standard.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical Committee
STI/38, Chemical conversion coatings, which has the responsibility to:

Ð aid enquirers to understand the text;

Ð present to the responsible international/European committee any enquiries
on the interpretation, or proposals for change, and keep the UK interests
informed;
Ð monitor related international and European developments and promulgate
them in the UK.

A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on request to

its secretary.
Cross-references
The British Standards which implement international or European publications
referred to in this document may be found in the BSI Standards Catalogue under the
section entitled ªInternational Standards Correspondence Indexº, or by using the
ªFindº facility of the BSI Standards Electronic Catalogue.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, the ISO title page,
page ii and iii, a blank page, pages 1 to 7 and a back cover.
The BSI copyright notice displayed in this document indicates when the document
was last issued.

This British Standard, having Amendments issued since publication

been prepared under the
direction of the Sector Amd. No. Date Comments
Committee for Materials and
Chemicals, was published under
the authority of the Standards
Committee and comes into effect
on 15 November 1999

 BSI 11-1999

ISBN 0 580 32995 X

INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 11408

First edition
1999-08-01

Chemical conversion coatings — Black

oxide coating on iron and steel —
Specification and test methods
Couches de conversion chimique — Finition noire de la fonte et de l'acier —
Spécifications et méthodes d'essai

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A Reference number
ISO 11408:1999(E)
ISO 11408:1999(E)

Contents Page

1 Scope ........................................................................................................................................................................ 1

2 Normative references .............................................................................................................................................. 1

3 Term and definition ................................................................................................................................................. 1

4 Information to be supplied by the purchaser to the supplier.............................................................................. 2

4.1 Essential information ........................................................................................................................................... 2

4.2 Additional information ......................................................................................................................................... 2

5 Substrate .................................................................................................................................................................. 2

6 Heat treatment of steels .......................................................................................................................................... 2

6.1 General................................................................................................................................................................... 2

6.2 Heat treatment before black oxidizing................................................................................................................ 3

6.3 Heat treatment after black oxidizing ................................................................................................................... 3

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7 Requirements ........................................................................................................................................................... 3

7.1 Appearance and surface quality ......................................................................................................................... 3

7.2 Oxalic acid test resistance................................................................................................................................... 3

7.3 Resistance of austenitic stainless steels to neutral salt spray........................................................................ 3

8 Sampling................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Annex A (informative) Processing procedures for iron and stainless steels........................................................ 6

Annex B (informative) Methods of test for neutral surface reaction and for porosity and continuity................ 7

ii
 ISO 11408:1999(E)

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO
member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical
committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has
the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in
liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 3.

Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.

International Standard ISO 11408 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 107, Metallic and other inorganic
coatings, subcommittee SC 8, Chemical conversion coatings.

Annexes A and B of this International Standard are for information only.

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iii
ｗｗｗ．ｂｚｆｘｗ．ｃｏｍ
 INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 11408:1999(E)

Chemical conversion coatings — Black oxide coating on

iron and steel — Specification and test methods

1 Scope

This International Standard specifies requirements for black oxide coatings on iron and steel (including cast and
wrought iron, carbon steel, low alloyed steel and stainless steel). Black oxide coatings can be used to diminish
friction between sliding or bearing surfaces or for decorative purposes or to reduce light reflection. Such coatings,
with or without supplementary preservative treatment, may be used where a black surface is required. Only very
limited corrosion protection is obtained under mildly corrosive conditions even with preservative treatment.

This International Standard does not specify requirements for the condition, finish or surface roughness of the
substrate prior to black oxidizing.

2 Normative references

The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of

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this International Standard. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these
publications do not apply. However, parties to agreements based on this International Standard are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the normative documents listed below. For undated
references, the latest edition of the normative document referred to applies. Members of ISO and IEC maintain
registers of currently valid International Standards.

ISO 2064:1996, Metallic and other inorganic coatings — Definitions and conventions concerning the measurement
of thickness.

ISO 4519, Metallic and other inorganic coatings — Sampling procedures for inspection by attributes.

ISO 9227, Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres — Salt spray tests.

ISO 9587, Metallic and other inorganic coatings — Pre-treatments of iron and steel to reduce the risk of hydrogen
embrittlement.

ISO 9588, Metallic and other inorganic coatings — Post-coating treatments of iron and steel for reducing the risk of
hydrogen embrittlement.

3 Term and definition

For the purposes of this International Standard, the following term and definition apply.

3.1
significant surface
part of the article covered or to be covered by the coating and for which the coating is essential for serviceability
and/or appearance and where the coating has to meet all of the specified requirements

[ISO 2064:1996, definition 3.1]

1
ISO 11408:1999(E)

4 Information to be supplied by the purchaser to the supplier

4.1 Essential information

When ordering articles to be black oxide coated in accordance with this International Standard, the purchaser shall
provide the supplier with the following information:

a) the number of this International Standard, i.e. ISO 11408;

b) the significant surface of the article to be coated, indicated, for example, on a drawing or by the provision of
suitably marked samples;

c) the nature and surface condition (see clause 5) of the substrate;

d) the sampling procedure to be adopted (see clause 8);

e) the appearance of the coating, e.g. by the provision of a suitably marked sample (see 7.1).

4.2 Additional information

The following additional information may be provided by the purchaser as appropriate:

a) whether the neutral surface reaction has to be tested (see B.1);

b) whether porosity and continuity (gross defect) of the black oxide coating has to be tested (see B.2);

c) any requirements for supplementary preservative treatment (e.g. oil, wax or lacquer films) and humidity testing
after such treatment;

d)

e)
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any requirements for heat treatment before and/or after black oxidizing (see clause 6);

any requirements for oxalic acid resistance testing (see 7.2);

f) any requirements for wear resistance and its measurement;

g) any requirements for coefficient of friction and its measurement;

h) any requirements for resistance to neutral salt spray (see 7.3);

i) any requirements for adhesion with thicker black oxide coatings.

5 Substrate

The surface roughness of the coating will be dependent on the initial roughness of the substrate and this shall
therefore not be cause for rejection of the black oxide coating.

6 Heat treatment of steels

6.1 General

Heat treatment may be required for certain steel grades to reduce the risk of cracking by hydrogen embrittlement or
caustic brittleness.

CAUTION — High strength steel, of tensile strength Rm ⭓ 1 000 MPa, may be subjected to caustic embrittlement
that could lead to spontaneous cracking under internal or applied stress during the black oxidizing process.

2
 ISO 11408:1999(E)

6.2 Heat treatment before black oxidizing

Pre-treatment shall be carried out in accordance with ISO 9587. The heat treatment shall be carried out before the
commencement of any preparation or cleaning treatment using aqueous solutions.

6.3 Heat treatment after black oxidizing

Post-coating treatment shall be carried out in accordance with ISO 9588. Surface-hardened parts shall be heat
treated at a temperature between 190 °C and 220 °C for not less than 2 h.

7 Requirements

7.1 Appearance and surface quality

The coating shall be free of spots of red oxide and shall not be an overall reddish-brown colour. When a part is
wiped with a clean Whatman 40 filter paper (or other filter paper of equivalent quality) prior to application of any
supplementary preservative treatment, it shall produce no reddish-brown or green smut.

NOTE Non-uniformity of colour and haze is permissible on parts that are locally hardened, welded, cemented, riveted or
submitted to other kinds of mechanical treatment.

7.2 Oxalic acid test resistance

7.2.1 When tested in accordance with 7.2.2 prior to the application of any supplementary preservative treatment,
the black oxide coating on a part shall conform to Figure 3.

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7.2.2 Dissolve 50 g oxalic acid in 1 l of distilled or de-ionized water. Place three drops (⬃ 0,2 ml) of the solution on
a flat spot of the black oxide coated surface at ambient temperature. The reaction should occur after 30 s and within
8 min. After 8 min rinse and dry the surface and compare it to Figures 1 to 3.

7.3 Resistance of austenitic stainless steels to neutral salt spray

When tested using the salt spray test (NSS test) in accordance with ISO 9227, the significant surface, without any
supplementary preservative coating, shall withstand 96 h without displaying traces of corrosion (rust).

8 Sampling

A random sample of the size required by ISO 4519 shall be selected from the inspection lot. The articles in the
sample shall be inspected for conformance to this International Standard and the lot shall be classified as
conforming or not conforming to each requirement according to the criteria of the sampling plans in ISO 4519.

3
ISO 11408:1999(E)

Figure 1 — Poor quality coating

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Figure 2 — Borderline quality coating

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 ISO 11408:1999(E)

Figure 3 — Good quality coating

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5
ISO 11408:1999(E)

Annex A
(informative)

Processing procedures for iron and stainless steels

Table A.1 — Typical processing procedures for steels and stainless steels

Iron and steel Process and Processing Immersion time

grades suitable chemicals temperature
°C min
Carbon steels, low Alkaline oxidizing: Processing tanka 15 to 60
alloy steels, wrought NaOH, NaNO3, water boiling at 130 to 150
irons, cast irons
Martensitic stainless Alkaline-chromate: 115 to 125 30 to 45
steel tempered at NaOH, NaNO3,
less than 480 °C Na2Cr2O7
Martensitic stainless Fused salt; oxidizing: Molten salt bath 400 30
steel tempered at Na2Cr2O7 and/or to 455
480 °C or higher K2Cr2O7

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Stainlessb steels Alkaline oxidizing
(ferritic and
austenitic)
a Subsequent tanks, if used, are made from the same chemicals at increased concentrations relative
to the previous tank.
b Less than 8 % nickel.

Table A.2 — Different grades of stainless steels

Stainless steel grades Nickel content Hardenability

%
Ferritic – Non-hardenable
Martensitic ⭐ 2,5 Hardenable
Ferritic-austenitic 4,5 to 7 Non-hardenable
Austenitic 7 to 26 Non-hardenable

6
 ISO 11408:1999(E)

Annex B
(informative)

Methods of test for neutral surface reaction and for porosity and continuity

B.1 Neutral surface reaction

The test shall be carried out after the last rinsing and drying, but before the oiling. Phenolphthalein test solution or
phenolphthalein indicator paper shall be used as follows.

a) Prepare phenolphthalein test solution by dissolving 2 g of phenolphthalein in 100 ml of ethanol and keep the
solution in a glass dropping bottle. Place 1 to 2 drops of the test solution on the surface to be tested (joints,
cavities).

b) Moisten the phenolphthalein indicator paper with distilled water and place this paper on the surface to be
tested.

Residual alkalis shall be deemed to be present if the phenolphthalein drops or indicator paper (as appropriate) turn
a rose colour.

B.2 Porosity and continuity of the black oxide coating

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The test shall be conducted by immersion (a) or using droplets (b).

Ensure that each test uses a fresh test solution prepared from laboratory reagent grade CuSO4 at a mass fraction
of 3 %.

a) Immerse the specimen in the test solution (in a glass or plastic bottle) at a temperature of 15 °C to 20 °C. After
30 s remove the specimen, rinse it using cold water and dry it using filter paper.

b) Place three drops of the test solution on the surface to be tested. After 30 s remove the drops using filter
paper.

Examine the surface under normal corrected vision. Red points or spots shall be deemed to indicate the presence
of pores or that the coating is damaged.

7
BS ISO |
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11408:1999 |
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