[meteorite-list] Tips on etching?

From: mark ford <markf_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Thu Jan 20 06:10:48 2005
Message-ID: <6CE3EEEFE92F4B4085B0E086B2941B31244A78_at_s-southern01.s-southern.com>

Hi Bob,

There are various mixtures people have suggested. But I have has success
with 1 pint of alcohol to a couple of table spoons of caustic. it takes
a bit of time for the caustic (sodium hydroxide) to dissolve, but
eventually it does. To be honest I don't think it matters exactly how
much you use, there is probably an ideal ratio but I just chuck a couple
of spoons in and scale the amount (according to the size of iron). If
your stabilizing an already rusty iron, then you need to remove the rust
first with a brush, and soak for a few weeks at least, changing the
mixture when it gets brown.

Bucket chemistry but I have campos which are now not rusting that were
rusting like bastads before treatments so I can only assume it works!


Best
Mark

-----Original Message-----
From: bob cucchiara [mailto:r.cucchiara_at_comcast.net]
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 9:22 AM
To: mark ford
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Tips on etching?

Hi Mark, Could you give me the procedure and formula of how much
alcohol to
how much caustic soda for soaking bigger irons. I got this from you a
while
back but cant seem to locate the info. It would be much apprieciated.
Thanks Bob C.
----- Original Message -----
From: "mark ford" <markf_at_ssl.gb.com>
To: <meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 20, 2005 1:03 AM
Subject: RE: [meteorite-list] Tips on etching?



Darren,

I would use 'Ferric Chloride' solution (available from electronics
stores , as it is used for etching electronic circuit boards). Ferric
gives a sharper etch and is way safer than Nitric acid.

This is the quick way...

1) Polish the iron slice to a deep shine (preferably like a mirror),
wash all traces of metal polish, grease etc off with alcohol or hot soap
and water (i.e Just make sure it's got no fingerprints or grease on it).

2) Using a cotton wool pad, wash the face to be etched with the ferric
chloride so that it becomes covered in a thin layer of the solution.
Keep finger prints off the etched face, wait for a few minutes.

3) Repeat as required until you have a decent looking etch, then wash
the iron clean in alcohol or hot soapy water to remove all traces of the
ferric chloride.

4) Soak the iron in alcohol mixed with a few tablespoons of sodium
hydroxide (caustic soda) this helps slow down rusting, by neutralizing
any remaining acid and rust compounds.

5) Dry in a warm place (warm oven but not too hot) for a few hours.

6) When totally dry add a good coating of gun oil while still slightly
warm to help prevent rusting.

There are other ways to do this but this way works fine for me, its not
rocket science...

Best
Mark Ford






-----Original Message-----
From: Darren Garrison [mailto:cynapse_at_charter.net]
Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 11:02 PM
To: meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com
Subject: [meteorite-list] Tips on etching?

I just bought a few Campo slices and would appreciate any tips on the
most effective and safest
(both to me and the slices) way of etching them. Would I use the
glass-etching gel you can buy at
craft stores?

The Campo slices I bought are right here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6505070004
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Received on Thu 20 Jan 2005 06:07:39 AM PST