[meteorite-list] Nitol Etching Formula

From: Mendy Ouzillou <mendy.ouzillou_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 11 Oct 2017 10:01:58 -0500
Message-ID: <073001d342a1$e37219f0$aa564dd0$_at_gmail.com>

The short answer is that it depends.

 

Some people use the weaker 10% Nitol and others use closer to 30% Nitol (I
am pretty sure based on fuming 63-67% Nitric acid), and some use everything
in between based on the actual meteorite being etched. I use the 63-67%
Nitric acid and mix it with 99.9% methanol (acid into methanol slowly). The
acid you are considering is just diluted with water and depending on what
you are etching, should be fine. I would just increase the acid into the
alcohol and use a 90%+ alcohol.

 

My view is that etching is far more art than science and requires much
experimentation to get "right". Hope this helps.

 

Best,

 

Mendy Ouzillou

 

From: Meteorite-list [mailto:meteorite-list-bounces at meteoritecentral.com] On
Behalf Of bobadebt--- via Meteorite-list
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2017 9:06 AM
To: meteorite-list at meteoritecentral.com
Subject: [meteorite-list] Nitol Etching Formula

 

I looked but can seem to find this specific info so I hope someone on here
can help.

 

I know the basic formula for Nitol etching solution is 90% alcohol and 10%
nitric acid.

 

BUT what are the strengths is this formula based on?

 

For instance, you can readily buy 70% and 90% alcohol at any store and
nitric acid comes in a huge variety of strengths but 63% seems to be the
most common.

 

The reason I ask is that I have an acquaintance that has 1/2 gallon of 50%
strength nitric acid that he would love to give to me but because he can not
easily dispose of it

 

BUT I need to determine the correct ratio before I accept his gift because I
am pretty sure the nitol formula uses stronger acid

 

I hope this makes sense.

 

Thanks

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Received on Wed 11 Oct 2017 11:01:58 AM PDT