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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Titanium Removal

Hello,

I am a graduate student of the University of the Philippines. My research is on laser-produced titanium plasma and its diagnostic techniques. The plasma is confined in a vacuum chamber and our major diagnostic technique is in plasma emission spectroscopy. But, we have one problem, i.e. after sometime the optical windows of the vacuum chamber is now coated with titanium which makes it difficult for us to do the spectroscopy.

My question therefore is: What particular acids or solvent can remove titanium without damaging our optical windows? Our optical windows are made of quartz and borosilicate glass. That is all.

Thank you for reading my letter.

Your help will be greatly appreciated and it will be an invaluable contribution to the success of my thesis.

Thank you very much.

Marian F. Baclayon
- Philippines

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Try one part NH4OH to two parts 30% H2O2. Place a loose piece of throwaway glass in front of the window next time.

Donald M. Mattox
Society of Vacuum Coaters
Albuquerque, New Mexico