Why are impact tools black?

[ToolGlutton]

Are there chrome impact tools out there? If not, why are all impact sockets, extensions etc black?

Does the tool company intentionally add a black coating, or the materials used to make impact tools are black?

 

[old salvage]

I think impact tools would make chrome chip off .

 

[Fedwrench]

Just look at chrome sockets and extensions that have been used on impact tools for awhile and you'll see your answer.
They're also harder to find when they fly off the end of your impact or get dropped deep in an engine or suspension encouraging repeat sales.

 

[bmwpower]

Impacts are "softer" which allows them to deform under abuse rather than shatter like a chrome socket. Deformation would make the chrome come off eventually.

(edit)

What ^^^ they said.

 

[rsanter]

when you crome metal you cause Hydrogen Embritelment. it means that the material becomes a little more brittle so more prone to cracking.

this can be reduced by reheating the parts after croming, however this adds cost to the process

bob

 

[Merkava_4]

I think impact tools would make chrome chip off .

Not if they're been plated with the new "Flexzychrome" process.

 

[ToolGlutton]

Hydrogen embrittlement? This sounds complicated.

when you crome metal you cause Hydrogen Embritelment. it means that the material becomes a little more brittle so more prone to cracking.

this can be reduced by reheating the parts after croming, however this adds cost to the process

bob

 

[norry]

Neato, so there is a reason!

Dumb me, I'd always thought they were black so people would know they were impact sockets!

 

[old salvage]

Not if they're been plated with the new "Flexzychrome" process.

I just googled it and the only thing that came up was a youtube vid of a racing bike and a couple of jpgs.

 

[reversegear]

Flexzychrome?

Not if they're been plated with the new "Flexzychrome" process.

 

[Merkava_4]

Flexzychrome?

Yes sir, much similar the new T1000 liquid metal Terminators.

 

[reversegear]

Yes sir, much similar the new T1000 liquid metal Terminators.

*Sigh.* I can't believe I fell for that.

 

[speed bump]

Because I haven't figured out how to rust metal pink yet

 

[old salvage]

Yes sir, much similar the new T1000 liquid metal Terminators.

Awww geez.
wned:

 

[M5 LiTE]

SO has a line of tools referred to as "Power Accessories" or something like that where they have "industrial" finished sockets, etc. that are not meant to be used with impact tools, even though they look like impact tools. The bottom of the catalog specifically states with a warning triangle "Do not use chrome or industrial finish hand tools with impact drivers."

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Oh brother...is this REALLY a thread topic?!

 

[Autoguy]

new information to me

 

[Phang]

I came across this picture in a Japanese website, the person who posted this claim that both the wrenches have no chrome peel off at all, must be one of those Flexzychrome stahl

 

[HandyManny]

Impacts are "softer" which allows them to deform under abuse rather than shatter like a chrome socket. Deformation would make the chrome come off eventually.

(edit)

What ^^^ they said.

It's not that they are softer, they are just as strong if not stronger, just not nearly as brittle. Much more maleable steel. As you stated this allows them to deform rather than shatter into shrapnel on failure. Allowing a bit more protection to the user. Also non-chromed to eliminate chipped chrome from flying off. Again providing more safe condition for the user.

I will say too that there are many Black Oxide finished non-impact sockets and extentions. I have lots of Proto black oxide stuff, in fact most of my Proto hand tools including sockets and extentions are black oxide finished. It's all stamped in large letter "HAND USE ONLY". That way the user does not mistake them for Impact stuff. Not all Black Oxide finished sockets and extention are Impact. It's the users responsibility to read and adhear to all cautions stated on the tools.

 

[48548]

The only bummer with the black finish is it appears to be more prone to rusting than chrome.

 

[HandyManny]

The only bummer with the black finish is it appears to be more prone to rusting than chrome.

And they do when exposed to constant moisture. Nothing that a pad of 0000 steel wool can't get rid of though. Never really had a real problem with rust as long as the tools get used and handled at least once in a while.

Nothing to worry about really. Black Oxide is just a controlled form of rusting anyway. That what it is, an oxidation surface finishing (Black/Blued Rust), and it eventually wears off with regular usage of the tools. Same for blued steel on firearms, it's just a controlled rusting process steel finish.

 

[Garage_Mahal]

I came across this picture in a Japanese website, the person who posted this claim that both the wrenches have no chrome peel off at all, must be one of those Flexzychrome stahl

Could those have been polished instead of chromed? Doesn't look like a typical chrome finish.

 

[bmxr4life87]

ive been using more and more of my grandpas older sockets at work here lately mainly 70s and 80s s&k and mac if they are rusted real bad i just put it on my impact and spin it while holding the socket in a red scotchbrite pad it works amazing its not chrome but it looks very nice and i have yet to have any problems with rusting, i found a deep 18mm 3/8 impact matco socket the other day someone left under the hood of a big truck and it was all rusted a little red scuff pad with the spin on my impact now it just looks used but still very nice you would never know it was rusted

 

[rsanter]

I came across this picture in a Japanese website, the person who posted this claim that both the wrenches have no chrome peel off at all, must be one of those Flexzychrome stahl

those are done in an industrial crome finish
industrial crome is intended as an antirust finish rather than the mirror-shine crome we are used to on bumpers and valve covers.
the industrial crome is a little thinner

bob

 

[Elroy]

Excellent point. We would think a polished chrome would crack like crazy

 

[jkeyser14]

Couple of reasons:
1) Chrome fills in micro voids in the metal which serve to prevent crack propagation. This lowers the overall fatigue strength of the material, meaning it can't handle as many uses as a non-chromed socket of the same design/material. This is really important for impact wrenches which see hundreds of impacts every time you remove a nut, so it's not uncommon for the impact socket to see millions of impacts. In addition, an impact wrench applies the load much more quickly (a faster strain rate in engineering terms). With very few exceptions, the faster the strain rate, the lower the effective strength of the material.

2) No one likes to have chrome sockets with the chrome chipped off.

 

[Garage_Mahal]

Can you tell me more about the industrial chrome process? Google isn't much help.

 

[rrangus]

Yes sir, much similar the new T1000 liquid metal Terminators.

Similar to Z-Max. Snake Oil!