Aloha, fun & authoritative answers -- no cost, no registration, no passwords, no popups
(as an eBay Partner & Amazon Affiliate we earn from qualifying purchases)

Where the
world gathers for metal finishing
Q&As since 1989

-----

Steel etching by ferric chloride

Q. Hi we have a printing press. We etch the printing plates with nitric acid. But now we want to try ferric chloride [on eBay or Amazon]. We've taken a few trials for it but we found the crack patterns and the etching time is very high. We need to etch to get the depth of 30 to 50 microns within 4 to 5 minutes.

"Etching"

on AbeBooks

or Amazon

(affil links)

With regards,

Nalini Bora
nNp press - India
2003

A. Presumably you are "jetting" the ferric chloride[on eBay or Amazon]at the plates - if not you should. The ferric chloride[on eBay or Amazon]should be about 45 °C and concentrated. Although you do not say what grade steel you are using, most steels won't stand up to this solution very long.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2003

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: