Buy Ferric Chloride For Etching
When it comes to running an etch process consistently, it is important to monitor many factors. One of the biggest factors to watch is the free acid content. When it comes to free acid, there are no great ways to monitor it besides having a schedule in place to perform a titration. How often you need to titrate is dependent on how much you are etching each day. If you are using ferric chloride for large-scale production, we recommend titrating as often as once a day.
buy ferric chloride for etching
If you are regenerating your ferric chloride to maintain your etchant, it is a good idea to become familiar with the byproducts of the regeneration reaction and to have an idea of how much of the byproduct you are making. One of the most common methods of regeneration is with sodium chlorate. This is because it is one of the most feasible and economic methods of regeneration. One of the downsides of using this form of regeneration is that sodium chloride is a byproduct of the reaction. Thus, over time you will accumulate salt in the etching machines that will need to be removed at some point. If you have other non-typical components added to your etchant, you will also want to consider what reactions and byproducts may result.
We have built and installed many ferric chloride etchers, and we have trained many customers on running a ferric etch process. If you have any more questions or want more details about ferric chloride etching, please feel free to contact us with your questions.
Carolina Ferric Chloride Etching Solution is a simple and effective etchant for copper, brass, and nickel. This solution will not corrode copper or damage plastic. The solution and the etched metal can be safely disposed of down the drain. Below are the prices and sizes their ferric chloride comes in.
The Micro-Mark Pro-Etch is an etching solution containing various ferric chloride, water, and additives to protect the etching solution from unwanted contamination. You can also use it in various applications, including the etching of printed circuit boards. It is only offered in one size of 16 ounces (473ml) at $11.95.
Another option you can opt for is copper chloride in an aqueous hydrochloric acid solution. Copper chloride dissolves in hydrochloric acid to form a green solution that will etch copper but not brass or bronze.
A: Thank you for writing. Absolutely you may etch brass with ferric chloride. Follow the directions just like you do for copper. In fact, if you etch it deep enough (just pull it out of the solution and check it for depth every now and then) you can etch your own texture plates for use in the rolling mill. This gives you a lot of flexibility with background designs in your work.
If you are etching Damascus that butts up against wood scales what is the best way to do this? Can I tape off the wood and just brush on the ferric acid, then brush on the baking soda or windex?Any help is appreciated, great article.
Better to be careful without tape in my opinion, tape leaks. If it was me I would use a sponge to spread the ferric/Distilled water mix over the blade. Full, smooth passes over entire blade for 5 minutes or more. Then like you said, nuetralize with windex or baking soda
Citric acid etchants with ferric chloride (10-3) promote adhesion and are effective etchants. We used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to determine the dentin etching characteristics of 10% citric acid etchant with various additions of ferric chloride. AFM was used to measure the surface recession and morphology of dentin etching for a variety of 10% citric + Fe-Cl etchants. Commercial 10-3 was used as the control. Dentin disks were prepared and partially masked during etching so that the unetched dentin served as a reference. AFM images of the same samples were taken at each of the seven experimental steps using 10% citric acid with various quantities of ferric chloride ranging from 0 to 3% (denoted 10-0, 10-1, 10-1.8 and 10-3, respectively) which altered the pH from 1.63 to 0.42. Changes in depth (nm) relative to the reference height for intertubular dentin were determined after etching 15 s; clinical air drying, rewet for 1-5 min; desiccation for 24 h; rehydration for 24 h. Differences of log(depth change) were tested with mixed effects cell mean models. Overall differences were significant (P
Ferric chloride's operational benefits This etchant has made a name for itself because it is inexpensive, safe to use, consistent in its etching capabilities and highly suitable for working with a variety of metals.
In terms of handling, ferric chloride is one of the least harmful etchants we have available. Direct exposure to the skin can often be alleviated with just water. Other etchants, like acid, alkaline and hydrofluoric acid can cause considerable injuries, and in some rare cases, death if they are mishandled.
While ferric chloride is notable for its versatility, it performs especially well in etching the white metals - Iron- and nickel-based alloys in addition to zinc, tin, indium and manganese. Some of the most common iron-based alloys are stainless, carbon and silicon steels. Examples of alloys whose major fraction is nickel are Alloy 42, Inconel, and Mu-metal. Photo etching these white metals, and others, with ferric chloride produces smooth, consistent edges and sidewalls while keeping a predictable and controlled etch rate.
Etchant recycling - where ferric chloride shines bright One of the greatest benefits that working with ferric chloride has for photo etching shops is its ability to be recycled and regenerated for different purposes. Sensors throughout the etching process constantly monitor the chemistry of the etchant. When it reaches a certain threshold, the solution is infused with injections of muriatic acid, chlorine and water. This allows one batch of ferric chloride to last for weeks at a time.
Even better is that at certain points, the chemistry can be modified to make the ferric chloride suitable for etching red metals. Here too, the etchant is monitored and refreshed as needed, extending its life by several weeks.
After that, it can be reconfigured again for etching aluminum. Aluminum can be tricky to photo etch because it is highly reactive and prone to oxidation. The reconfigured ferric chloride, however, has proven itself to be a great choice in aluminum etching.
The ease with which this popular etchant can be recycled is a powerful cost-cutting tool. Using the same batch of ferric chloride for weeks, even months at a time means that we don't have to constantly buy new etchant. In fact, research from Professor David M. Allen found that companies that regenerate and recycle their ferric chloride etchant are roughly seven times more efficient in their use of the chemical than companies that do not. By keeping our "machining" costs low, we can pass our savings onto our customers.
For more information on the etching process, or to see how your OEM can benefit from working with a photo etching provider, call us at 800-443-5218 or email us at sales@conardcorp.com and we can get started working on your designs!
Z*Acryl Etching System eliminates the use of organic solvents, rosins and varnishes from the etching studio. The vertical etching tank was designed by Z*Acryl to promote the use of ferric chloride. Z*Acryl hardground emulsion is a nontoxic alternative to asphaltum based grounds.
Vertical Etching Tank 1/4" thick molded polyethylene. The form-fitting lid minimizes evaporation; a built in funnel allows the tank to be easily and safely filled. Any etchant may be used, however the Z*Acryl Tank was designed to promote the use of ferric chloride. The large tank will etch two full 18" x 24" plates, yet it uses 80% less studio space than does a traditional bath-style tray.*Note: insert no longer available
I do a 50/50 solution with Ferric. That is how I learned and it works well for me. I would not put a zinc plate in ferric. There is something about the zinc and the ferric that does not mix well from what I am to understand. To be honest once I started working on copper I threw the zinc out the window. A lot of printmakers feel the same way, but each to their own. I have know several students that gave up etching after being forced to work in zinc. Maybe have the students work in copper, use a 50/50 solution, and place the verticle acid baths in a tub of hot water. I work with a flat acid bath, and I have found that the addition of the hot water around the container works very well.
I use a 3 to 1 water to ferric chloride ratio and get the ferricchloride from Radio Shack. It etches just as quickly as it doesstraight out of the bottle, but lasts longer. I store my used etchantin a separate container from the fresh stuff.
This method of etching uses a ferric nitrate solution which also contains nitric acid. This "etchant" is not a pure acid, but etches fine silver and sterling silver (ferric chloride will not etch silver).
MATERIALS: "Etchant" (ferric nitrate solution of ferric nitrate crystal + distilled water)selection of permanent markers or tapes for resist; other waterproof resists (see notes)glass or plastic container with lid, big enough to hold piece of metal baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)emery paper (fine) or superfine steel wool, or brass brushmethyl hydrate rubber gloves, plastic tweezers 041b061a72