Have any of you guys used muriatic acid to etch blades? I have a blade soaking in it for the past hour. I've been checking on it but it isn't doing much. It just turned grey but very slowly. I am wondering if it is because the container is probably 20+ years old or if muriatic acid just isn't good for etching blades. I was hoping it would work out because I have a 5gallon pail that someone left behind when I bought a house a few years ago. The pail is unopened. The blade is O-1.
I would guess that it has started to neutralize over time. It should etch fine but I have never tried anything besides ferric or a strong mix of ph-. I had to toss my jar of ferric because I hung some kiridashis in it from copper wire and after that everything I etched had a spotty streaky copper color to it. If it was controlled it would look cool but it was too random to be useful.
Thanks Grayzer. I was thinking and hoping that it is because it's old. I will crack open the 5gallon pail and see if there is a difference. I have the blade in my hand and it does have a nice even grey etch on it but its been in there for 3 hours now. It is a finish I would consider on some blades. I will leave it in there over night to see what happens. It is a small blade from my first batch so I'm not too worried about what happens to it. The spotty copper does sound cool.
Muratic acid is really not the stuff to use for etching especially inside your house or workshop. It will corrode everything in sight and do a number on your lungs. Use ferric chloride it is much safer and not as corrosive.
Thanks Forge. Looks like I will keep that 5gallon pail sealed. Is ferric chloride the stuff they use for circuit boards? I will try to find some tomorrow after work.
You are correct Ich ferric chloride is circuit board etchant. I had to ask for it by that name as the guy at the store didn't know that it was actually ferric chloride
I tried muratic acid and did not get very good results. I found apple cider vinegar is reasonable but it still is not as good a ferric chloride. Try an industrial electrical supplier. Now that Radio Shack is The Source I find they don't sell anything like ferric chloride or switches, etc
Look for it in an industrial electronics supplier. I know in the west we have B&E Electronics and they stock ferric chloride but I don't know if they are in eastern Canada.
Well today I tried calling a bunch of industrial suppliers and electronic suppliers. I cannot find it anywhere. I may just have to wait till I go to the states and stop in at radio shack.
Thanks Steve but those are all still at least 4 hours away from here. I can get door to door to a radio shack in the us within 1/2 hour. Just noticed that there is a dealer in London but that is still a couple hours away.
Icho I have the recipe to make ferric chloride from muriatic acid if you are interested. It's not all that difficult if you want to try it let me know and I will send it to you. Frank
This is it Icho First I should mention you should wear proper safety glasses and gloves and in a well ventilated area. How to make Ferric Chloride 20 grms. Iron ( nails or steelwool, work fine) 100 ml 37% hydrochloric acid ( Muriatic acid from Rona etc. Is same (check % on container) ( It is usually 34-37% ) 100ml water 200ml hydrogen pyroxide 3% Mix acid and water together and add the iron to the solution. ( always pour the acid into the water not the water into the acid) Wait until the iron is completely dissolved ( heating the solution makes the process work faster) Filter the solution through a couple of coffee filters to remove any debris left over from the iron Add more acid to the solution to make it 200ml again to replace any that boiled or evaporated off while dissolving the iron. SLOWLY add the Peroxide a little at a time and stir. \ Heat is generated so pour in the peroxide slowly a little at a time and wait for it to cool before adding more. When all the peroxide is added and stirred in you have Ferric chloride. You can evaporate it off and store the crystals for a longer shelf life.
Thanks Frank. It doesn't seem too complicated but I just may pass on that for now. Chemistry was not one of my favorite subjects. Ill lay on my back while grinding upside down in a 1000 ton press but that kind of scares me. Lol
