NP3 & Metal Finishing
QPQ Black Nitride
Gun Guy Terms:
QPQ Black Nitride is the next evolution of metal treatment in the firearms industry. QPQ Black Nitride is a surface treatment for Steel and Stainless Steel; unfortunately QPQ Black Nitride is not compatible with aluminum or titanium components.
QPQ Black Nitride differs from traditional firearms finishes as it is not actually a finish on the surface of the part. QPQ Black Nitride is a surface treatment process that improves the performance of the base metal by hardening and polishing it which yields an extremely attractive satin black texture that is virtually bullet proof.
Technical Terms:
QPQ Black Nitride is a thermochemical diffusion process whereby nitrogen and carbon are diffused into the surface of the steel resulting in a harder more durable surface. This process is carried out at subcritical temperatures which eliminates any risk of distortion. Additionally, every part is quenched in a proprietary oxidizing salt bath which creates a uniform Fe304 oxide layer that is both resistant to corrosion and visually appealing.
QPQ Black Nitride Benefits:
- Improves the lubricity of the wear components by decreasing the coefficient of friction
- Extreme wear resistance making it the ideal coating for barrels and slides on duty carry guns
- Improves fatigue strength of parts and assemblies; 55-70+ RC
- Provides extreme corrosion resistance; 215+ hrs Salt Spray Test ASTM B117
- Improves the lubricity of the wear components by decreasing the coefficient of friction
Please include a completed order form with your shipment.
*** NP3 and NP3+ are being discontinued to the retail market on 10/15/2021***
*All pricing is subject to change without notice. For the most up to date pricing info please give us a call, shoot us an email, or visit us in person.
We were recently notified that Coating Technologies has decided to discontinue coatings to the retail market to focus predominantly on the Aerospace, Defense, and OEM industries moving forward. We will be servicing all orders for NP3 and NP3+ received through the end of business 10/15/21, all orders currently in process will not be affected by this.
We are disappointed to see this awesome finish be discontinued to the retail market. We have begun looking for a suitable replacement for NP3 and NP3+ and we will let our customers know as soon as we find something. For the most up to date info make sure you are subscribed to our email list.
Armorlube is still be available.
Wright Armory is now the exclusive distributor of NP3®, NP3 Plus®, and ArmorLube® to the Firearms Industry.
After The Robar Companies closed it’s doors for good, Wright Armory struck a deal to ensure the Firearms Community still has access to the incredible NP3® performance finishes we have all come to know and love over the past 30 years as well as Duralar® Armorlube™, and other traditional metal finishes.
Now Accepting Orders.
Please include an order form with your shipment.
Would you like to offer NP3, ArmorLube, and other Metal Finishing to your customers?
Submit the form below to begin the Dealer Application Process.
ARMORLUBE™
ArmorLube is a very special Duralar coating that combines dry lubrication with exceptional hardness – up to 2000 Vickers or more. Plus, it is highly wear resistant. Created from a proprietary carbon-based formula, the carbon in ArmorLube provides a natural graphitic lubricity and an extremely low coefficient of friction – less than 0.1. This coating is well suited for applications that require a clean, dry, permanent lubrication, eliminating the need for oils or greases, which can accumulate dirt and cause fouling. In Firearms, for example, ArmorLube is effectively used on dozens of different parts. This unique coating can dramatically reduce the problems of scaling, galling, fretting, and many other friction related issues, enhancing performance and lowering costs considerably.
ArmorLube provides a combination of dry lubrication and exceptional hardness, which enhances the performance of metal parts for applications such as firearms, automotive, oil & gas, and many other industries.
NP3®
Technical Terms:
NP3 is a surface treatment for steel and metal alloys that combines sub-micron particles of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), otherwise known as Teflon, with electroless nickel. The application of NP3 is auto-catalytic, that is, not requiring any form of electricity. This process is preferable to standard electrolytic plating as all active surfaces are evenly plated, which is crucial when working with firearms. Coating thickness can be maintained to within .0002″ or two ten thousandths of one inch, guaranteeing consistent quality coatings. With the PTFE evenly distributed and locked into the nickel-phosphorus matrix, NP3 is a true composite. If wear occurs, fresh particles of PTFE are exposed to keep the opposing surfaces lubricated throughout the life of the coating, which produces a true dry film self-lubricating finish.
Gun Guy Terms:
NP3 will adhere to aluminum, steel, and stainless steel. NP3 is Electroless Nickel with embedded TEFLON. The TEFLON is bonded to the particles of Nickel at the molecular level providing self lubrication throughout the entire coating. The Nickel in this finish provides corrosion and abrasion resistance. NP3 is a soft metallic gray color, somewhat similar to bead-blasted stainless steel or titanium.
- NP3 has a micro hardness of 48-51 Rockwell as plated (nickel matrix).
- NP3 has a coefficient of friction as low as .07-.1 according to test standards LFW-1 and ASTM D-2714
- NP3 has PTFE also known as Teflon® co-deposited in the nickel matrix. As wear occurs new PTFE particles are exposed and the self lubricating properties continue.
- NP3 is easy to clean for the same reason that a pan with Teflon® is easy to clean. Teflon® is non-stick and easy to wipe down, therefore carbon does not adhere to the surface.
- NP3 Permits firing for longer periods of time between cleaning, as dirt and powder residue has no wet or oily surface to cling to.
- NP3 has great corrosion resistance, a 1 mil (.001) coating exceeding a 240 hour salt spray test. Twice that of Nickel Boron.
- No lubrication is needed on opposing surfaces.
- NP3 has a high lubricity and low friction co-efficient; therefore, the life expectancy of a firearm will be greatly increased due to reduced friction wear.
- NP3 plated onto stainless steel guns will prevent galling, a problem common with stainless steel.
- NP3 is a satin gray, non-reflective color ideal for all firearms.
- NP3 can be plated to all internal parts giving a smoothness to the action not found with any other coating.
- NP3 is guaranteed against corrosion, peeling or flaking for the lifetime of the firearm.
NP3 cannot be applied to Titanium, Scandium or ‘pot metal’. Previously plated surfaces like nickel, hard chrome or anodizing must be stripped prior to plating.

NP3+®
NP3+® is a surface treatment for steel and metal alloys that combines sub-micron particles of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), otherwise known as Teflon, with electroless nickel.
NP3+® has all of the advatages of the the original NP3 listed above as well as almost 6x the Corrosion Resistance of the Standard NP3 coating.
- NP3+ has a micro hardness of 48-51 Rockwell as plated (nickel matrix).
- NP3+ has a coefficient of friction as low as .07-.1 according to test standards LFW-1 and ASTM D-2714
- NP3+ has PTFE also known as Teflon® co-deposited in the nickel matrix. As wear occurs new PTFE particles are exposed and the self lubricating properties continue.
- NP3+ is easy to clean for the same reason that a pan with Teflon® is easy to clean. Teflon® is non-stick and easy to wipe down, therefore carbon does not adhere to the surface.
- NP3+ Permits firing for longer periods of time between cleaning, as dirt and powder residue has no wet or oily surface to cling to.
- NP3+ has great corrosion resistance, a 1 mil (.001) coating exceeding a 960 hour salt spray test. Ten times that of Nickel Boron.
- NP3+ removes the need for lubrication on opposing surfaces.
- NP3+ has a high lubricity and low friction co-efficient; therefore, the life expectancy of a firearm will be greatly increased due to reduced friction wear.
- NP3+ plated onto stainless steel guns will prevent galling, a problem common with stainless steel.
- NP3+ is a satin gray, non-reflective color ideal for all firearms.
- NP3+ can be plated to all internal parts giving a smoothness to the action not found with any other coating.
- NP3+ is guaranteed against corrosion, peeling or flaking for the lifetime of the firearm.
NP3+ cannot be applied to Titanium, Scandium or ‘pot metal’. Previously plated surfaces like nickel, hard chrome or anodizing must be stripped prior to plating.
