MACRO-ETCHING SOLUTIONS FOR ALUMINIUM

Spectrographic Ltd have NO responsibility for the storage, use or disposal of any Etchant solutions

ALLOY ETCHANT COMPOSITION PROCEDURE COMMENTS

all 10 g Na OH in 100 ml H2O Immerse the sample for 5 to 15 mins in the solution This is a good general purpose
heated to about 65C. general etchant that can be used on
Rinse in water and remove sooty deposit with a all Aluminium alloys. This does NOT
strong HNO3 solution. require fine grinding
Rinse and repeat if necessary

3XXX HCl(conc)75 ml Always mix this fresh before use. Always use at room This etchant is normally used to develop the grain
4XXX HNO3(conc)25 ml temperature. This may be used either as an structure and may be diluted with water to slow
5XXX HF(48%)5 ml immersion or a swabbed etch. Rinse and dry and down the etching reaction. This does NOT require
6XXX dispose of the solution in the appropriate way as fine grinding
Hi Si castings dictated by the governing authority.

HP Al HCl(conc) 45 ml Immerse the specimen at room temperature until the This is commonly known as Tuckers
1XXX HNO3(conc)15 ml required contrast is achieved. The sample must then Etch. It is a general purpose etch for the majority of
3XXX HF(48%)15 ml be rinsed in warmish water and dried. the alloys of Al, for revealing the micro and macro
4XXX H2O25 ml structure of Cast and Wrought AL. This does NOT
5XXX require fine grinding
6XXX

All Al alloys excl.Hi HCl(conc)15 ml This is the same as the above procedure This is a slightly diluted variant of the Tuckers Etch,
Si castings HNO3(conc)5 ml but is slower acting.
HF(48%)5 ml
H2O75 ml

2XXX HCl(conc)15 ml Can be used as an immersion or as a swabbed etch. This is known as Flicks reagent and the best results
Hi Cu alloys HF(48%).10 ml When the required contrast is reached, deposits can are obtained if the sample is ground to P180 or
H2O90 ml be removed with HNO3 then wash in warm water and better.
dry.

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