Ceramic Etchants
CAUTION: Safety is very important when etching. Be sure to wear the appropriate protective clothing and observe all WARNINGS on chemical manufacturers MSDS. Also review COMMENTS Section for each etchant.
Oxide Ceramics
|
Etchant |
Conc. |
Conditions |
Comments |
|
Thermal etching in air |
|
Minutes to hours at 100-200°C below the sintering temperature |
AL2O3,
|
|
Molten Salt
|
|
5-10 minutes in Pt crucible |
Al2O3,
|
|
Distilled water
|
15 ml
|
Boiling for 5 minutes to |
Al2O3 |
|
Distilled water
|
50 ml
|
Boiling for 1-5 minutes |
ZrO2 |
Carbide Ceramics
|
Etchant |
Conc. |
Conditions |
Comments |
|
Molten Salt
|
|
10 minutes in Pt crucible |
SiC |
|
Hydrochloric acid
|
10 ml
|
Seconds to minutes |
WC |
Nitride Ceramics
|
Etchant |
Conc. |
Conditions |
Comments |
|
Thermal etching in high purity nitrogen |
|
Several hours at 1600° C |
Si3N4 |
|
Molten Salt
|
|
Seconds to minutes in Pt crucible |
Si3N4 |
|
Hydrofluoric acid |
100% |
10-15 minutes |
Si3N4 |
Boride Ceramics
|
Etchant |
Conc. |
Conditions |
Comments |
|
Latic acid
|
30 ml
|
Seconds to minutes |
ZrB2 ,TiB2 |