Birchwood Casey

Press Releases

NOW, Blacken Aluminum In-House With The New LUMICLAD™ Process
From Birchwood Casey – Simple Process Uses NO Electrical Contacts

Lumiclad™

Eden Prairie, Minnesota: Birchwood Casey's new LUMICLAD™ black oxide process is a totally new method for blackening aluminum that operates as a simple dip-tank process to form a durable black oxide finish on most aluminum alloys.

Nothing like it – this patented process does not require the use of electrical current to form the coating as does black anodizing. The satin-black LUMICLAD finish is non-dimensional (.000060” thick) satin black finish tightly adherent to the aluminum substrate with no ruboff. The LUMICLAD finish is a durable and attractive alternative to black anodizing for all types of commercial aluminum components, such as cast housings, tooling, and machined aluminum components, large and small.

Conventional black anodizing is a long and complicated electrolytic process requiring experienced operators for consistent quality. (Most manufacturers shouldn't attempt it.) Parts must be manually clamped onto spring-clip racks to ensure electrical contact. For this reason, small parts cannot be processed economically. Because the LUMICLAD process requires no electrical current, no clamp-on racking is needed and it is suitable for both large parts on racks and smaller parts handled in bulk. Consequently, even small stampings, screw machine parts or other low-value parts can be blackened economically.

The non-dimensional LUMICLAD finish enhances part sales appeal with a durable, scratch-resistant surface that is suitable for many types of tooling, fixturing and other precision machine component, without requiring the part to be undersized to allow for excessively thick coatings, as is the case with anodizing.

The LUMICLAD process is fast, utilizing seven steps for most machined parts, with a 25 minute processing time. An in-house LUMICLAD line meshes well with workflow patterns and eliminates the turnaround time needed for outside finishing. In process inventory levels can be lowered because parts can be blackened on a just-in-time basis.

Operators report that the LUMICLAD process is very easy to operate and utilizes mild solutions that operate at just 130 – 200° F. The process line is designed to operate as a completely self-contained, zero-discharge system, with rinse waters being purified and recycled by means of ion exchange system, available on a lease basis from Siemens Water Technologies, the industry leader in water purification. The process line can be located almost anywhere in the plant. No discharge permit is required because nothing enters the drain.

Process lines are available from Birchwood Casey in all sizes, at modest cost. The process can be automated through the use of a CNC programmable hoist system.

Developed and guaranteed by the originator of the unique and widely used TRU TEMP® low temp black oxide process for ferrous metals. The LUMICLAD process is the first and only high quality method for blackening aluminum that doesn't involve the complexities and high costs of electrolytic black anodizing.