Bower-Barff

Bower-Barff finish

Description

A mid-19th century process producing a thin, non-corrosive coating of black magnetic iron oxide on article of iron and steel. The Bower-Barff process used high heat (1600 F) in a closed container to first oxidize a thin coating of red ferric oxide (Fe2O3) then later reduce it to black magnetic oxide (Fe3O4).

Synonyms and Related Terms

barff

Authority

• Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996

• Website address 1 Comment: The Free Dictionary at http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Bower-Barff+process