• CNC Router and Engraving

  whats best method for acid etching?

  Posted by Fizgig on 10 April 2006 at 02:48

  Can anyone help with the best method / Mordant formula to Acid etch Aluminium.

  Regards
  Fizgig

  Fizgig replied 19 years, 5 months ago 2 Members · 2 Replies
• 2 Replies

• 

  Rodney Gold

  Member

  10 April 2006 at 09:41

  Caustic soda or diluted Ferric , full strength Ferric will go exothermic and generate a ton of heat snd cause fizzing and lift the resist. 1:3 water diluted ferric if its fresh. 1:2 dilution if its partially spent. Caustic will go thru anodising. Caustic is DANGEROUS stuff. You can also use dilute hydrochloric (pool acid). Etch ally OUTSIDE in a well ventilated place!!!!!
  The KEY to etching is that the surface to be etched is VERY clean. We often lightly sandblast the item first just before etching so the etched areas get down to totally bare metal. ALWAYS have protective goggles , gloves and a dust coat if etching. You may need to brush bubbles off the surface you etching when doing so , a plastic Kitchen basting brush works well.

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  Fizgig

  Member

  10 April 2006 at 21:32

  Thanks again Rodney,

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