Cleveland Black Oxide Nets New Business...Literally!
Cleveland, OH - Cleveland Black Oxide has seen some pretty odd applications for their black oxide finishes over the years: Slinky(TM) toys, bullet casings, printed circuits and large architectural panels to name a few. And recently, they've added chain mail and animal containment netting to the list.
Metal chain and netting (usually stainless steel) is used in many applications from protective, decorative and historical reinactment clothing to steel curtains, animal containment and zoo aviaries.
Cleveland Black Oxide is a favorite with chain mail and netting manufacturers because of their ability to black oxide stainless steel consistently. They also have some of the largest black oxide tanks in the industry and can handle these jobs more efficiently.
Azon Corporation, North Attleboro, MA manufactures Ring Mesh(TM) protective, decorative and re-enactment clothing as well as curtain materials. The company developed the first stainless steel chain mail manufacturing machine in 1978 and sells chain mail products and production equipment all over the world. Azon has worked with Disney and 20th Century Fox on costume designs.
Mike Ziegler, VP of Azon said: "We offer a black oxide finish for our stainless steel products as an option. We call it Black Maille.(TM) Customers want the darker finish that black oxide provides - especially for our re-enactment clothing when a more "sinister look" is required. Cleveland Black Oxide is able to produce a consistent, uniform black oxide finish on our stainless steel chain mail and can handle our larger work."
NetsUnlimited of Cave Creek, AZ produces netting for animal enclosures, primarily in Zoos. Customers include the Houston Zoo, Naples (FL) Zoo, Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, and the Toronto Zoo.
Animal containment netting made from stainless steel aircraft cable and comes in sizes ranging from 3/64" to 1/8" diameter. Mesh sizes range from 1" to 4" depending on the type of animal enclosure needed. Stainless steel wire is used for aviaries and smaller animals with pitches of 3/8" to 7/8."
Kelly Bair, President & CEO of Nets Unlimited, said: "For animal containment, we offer high grade 316 stainless steel netting in either plain or black oxide finish. Black oxiding gives our netting a visually non-intrusive, more natural appearance that enhances the animal exhibit. Cleveland Black Oxide's process gives our nets a deep black finish and even coverage at a competitive cost with quick turnaround."
Cleveland Black Oxide has developed special reels and handling equipment specifically for chain mail and netting manufacturers as well as for stainless steel wire rope and wire manufacturers. Cable and wire is fed from 100-lb. reels and processed through the tanks.
The way that these products are handled during the process is critical to the consistent application of black oxide on the product. It also has some of the largest stainless steel black oxide tanks in the business and can handle these large netting jobs.
Netting for the Miami Zoo Aviary, for instance, covered over 90,000 square feet. The screen came in 17-ft. long rolls 24" wide and weighed 200-lbs each. The Aviary complex covered 2.6 acres and is one of the largest free-flight aviaries in the world.
For more information on black oxide finishes, visit www.clevelandblackoxide.com.
