High Carbon Steel 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.
|
Etchant |
Conc. |
Conditions |
Comments |
|
Picral
|
100 ml
|
Seconds to minutes |
For heat treated steels Do not let etchant dry – explosive |
|
Ethanol
|
80 ml
|
Seconds to minutes |
Grain boundaries |
|
Nital
|
100 ml
|
Seconds to minutes |
Do not exceed 10% nitric acid -explosive |
 |
1095 High Carbon Steel (furnace cooled), etched, Mag. 100X |