10% Nital

General Purpose

Composition

10% Nitric Acid in Ethanol

10%

Method

Immersion

Time

25s

Alternative Names

Grain boundaries, martensite, bainite, carbides

Most aggressive Nital concentration. For extremely hard materials that don't respond to lower concentrations.

Strong contrast between phases

Method:immersion

Typical Time:25 seconds

Mix 10 ml concentrated nitric acid with 90 ml ethanol. Add acid slowly to ethanol.

Immerse for 25-50 seconds. Most aggressive - use very short times initially and monitor closely. Rinse thoroughly.

Use only for extremely hard steels that don't respond to 8% Nital. Very aggressive - monitor etching time very carefully to avoid over-etching.

Store in dark glass bottle. Shelf life: 3-6 months.