Hi Mac and other dialists, There are so many "Stainless" steels, some of which will degrade in various climates and locations, Fine here, but down the coast 25 miles it has problems sort of thing. Coloring some stainless works well, others not. Those Stainless that include Chromium can be electrolytically colored in only a hot Sulphuric Acid bath. The color is a function of the thickness of the coating which is a function of time, temperature and current. Other stainless can be colored similarly with a Chromic/Sulphuric bath, again electrolytically. Various sputtering methods, often Titanium, are very tough and weather resistant. Again, the thickness of the coating affects color. There are a number of vendors doing the above processes, some advertise on the net. Some have standard products in bars, sheets and tubes. They can be cut, but the ends are not colored of course.
As far as Aluminum Anodizing, I'd recommend David LaPlantz book, "ARTISTS ANODIZING ALUMINUM" I've made multicolored aluminum jewelry using his processes, which can be done at home. Aluminum casting can also be done at some folks homes. Baked on Epoxy paint over an clean oxidized surface also holds up well. Good Luck and Enjoy the Light! Edley. On 23 Apr 2008 at 20:59, Mac Oglesby wrote: Date sent: Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:59:16 -0400 To: Sundial Mailing List <sundial@uni-koeln.de> From: Mac Oglesby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Request for suggestions > > Hello friends, > > Does anyone know a simple, safe, and inexpensive method to > permanently darken stainless steel? > > I'm involved in a project to create a vertical decliner (48 inches > wide by 30 inches high by 1 inch thick cast concrete) sundial for our > town's Municipal Center showing hours until sunset. For the hour lines > we intend to use 1/4 inch square stainless steel bars imbedded into > the concrete. > > Test castings show that, when sunlit, the imbedded bars appear dark > from most viewing angles, but that from some angles reflect light so > as to almost disappear. Although the changing appearance of the hour > lines might be considered a positive feature, I'd rather the hour > lines always looked dark. > > Thanks for any suggestions. > > Mac Oglesby > > --------------------------------------------------- > https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.3/1393 - Release Date: > 4/23/2008 8:12 AM > --------------------------------------------------- https://lists.uni-koeln.de/mailman/listinfo/sundial
