It seems that we can add dye to plastics and get coloured plastics. Why can’t we just do the same with molten metal and get coloured metal? Rather, It seems like all the metal I have ever owned is just painted on the exterior of the item, and is vulnerable to flaking and being scratched off.
In: 2
Because anything you incorporate into a metal has a huge effect on it’s properties. Particularly non-metals can potentially destabilize the structure of the metal that forms after forging and/or tempering, causing it to become weak or brittle.
I’m sure there are ways to do it naturally, but it would be more trouble than it’s worth. Plus paint comes with anti-rust/oxidation properties that you won’t necessarily get with additions.
Latest Answers