Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Titanium foil etching
I'm currently looking for processing options of titanium foil. I wonder if there is a possibility to etch this material up to a depth of 500 microns. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Ludwig JoerissenUlm, Germany
1999
You didn't mention if hydrogen pickup is an issue or not, nor the type of titanium alloy, however IF you are familiar with dealing with extremely hazardous chemicals such as HF, along with Nitric you should be able to chemically etch this titanium material. 500 microns is ~ 19.7 mils and this etch rate will require rotating the part and making allowances for undercutting etc. A solution containing 12-15 OZ/Gal of 68% Nitric, 5% by volume 70% HF along with a suitable wetting agent such as a linear type alkylate sulfonic acid to produce 30-60 dynes per cm at ambient temperature, dissolved titanium .5-10 Oz/Gal, said solution when heated to 115° F, will etch titanium ~.7-1 mil per surface per minute.This reaction will evolve copious amounts of hazardous gas/fumes. Control HF by etching rate. You will need to prep the surface correctly and be careful when handling after the final rinsing is complete. Please do not attempt this without expertise in the chemical handling/chemical batch processing field and without all of the necessary processing and personal safety equipment.
Ward Barcafer, CEFaerospace - Wichita, Kansas
1999
I'm looking on the microstructure of Ti6Al4V after milling porcess is done on it if the any information you can let me know.
Kip Goi Lim Sheng- United Kingdom, Birmingham
2000
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