Summary for etching ni-cr Discussion
Etching Ni-Cr is discussed as a difficult, somewhat specialized problem because few people have much experience etching nichrome. Ercan Çalda asked for the name of an acid that would etch a 70% nickel / 30% chromium alloy and stop when rinsed with water. James Swenson noted that it is not clear whether the goal is decorative darkening or true dimensional removal, and suggested that the answer may depend on the exact prior process used. He said that sometimes electricity is easier than exotic oxidizers, and recommended trying 2 to 12 volts in about 20% sulfuric and/or phosphoric acid, with the nichrome as the positive electrode and a large stainless electrode as the negative. He added that different voltages can produce different effects, and that a few percent sodium or potassium fluoride might help.
A. Could you tell me the name of an acid that etches nickel-chromium alloy(%70 Ni-%30Cr). When you reached the desired depth of etching, you simply rinsed it with water which stopped the process. Thank You for your consideration in this matter.
Ercan Çalda
Student – Ankara, TURKEY
2005
Few people have spent time etching nichrome, the acids might be special to attack chrome, and it’s not clear from your question whether you are doing art-work etching (to make a darker color), or dimensional etching (clean removal from metal which remains bright). Asking your past might be the best way to find out what that stuff was. Sometimes electricity is easier to get than exotic high-potential oxidizers. So, you might try applying 2 to 12 volts in 20% sulfuric and/or phosphoric acid. (nichrome positive, big stainless electrode negative.) Different effects from different voltages. Including a few percent sodium or potassium fluoride
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eBay &
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Amazon [affil link]
might help too.
James Swenson
– Los Angeles, California, USA
2005