Interesting article. Thanks for enlightening me.
So can we infer that rust and caustic bluing are forming layers of translucent oxide of varying thicknesses? Further, that the thickness of the oxidized layer determines the color ?
I suspect that with rust bluing the use of some chemicals, sodium nitrate for example, effect the molecular structure of the oxide layer changing the way it transmits light. That's pure speculation on my part.
You had an earlier question about a more wear resistant alternative to nitre bluing. The only thing that I could come up with is vapor deposition. Some of the gun makers are producing intense colors using the process. I've read that the wear resistance of titanium coatings is excellent.
Regards,
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