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Sound technical content, curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Pine Beach, NJ

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How to smoothly etch stainless steel materials

Q. I want to get a hold of a formula for a smooth chemical etching of 431 stainless steel and ph 17-4 stainless steel. I have tried several different solutions however their attack is not consistent and leave an uneven surface. I need to have a smooth finish. It doesn't have to be bright, just smooth.

Hydrofluoric acid burns

Never use HF anywhere unless trained!
If you do, you MUST have the antidote gel on hand for instant use!

Calcium Gluconate
for HF acid burns
calcium_gluconate

on eBay or

Amazon

(affil links)

Jeffrey Jones
- San Diego, California
2001

A. Normally a Nitric acid / hydrofluoric acid is best.

About 30 to 40% nitric by volume and 3 to 4% Hydrofluoric acid remainder water.

Fume extraction is required and great precautions in the handling of HF. Breathing fumes is very toxic and the acid must be treated with great care.

Should give you a smooth surface if etch is restricted to say 5 minutes

Bernard Irving
- United Kingdom
2001

Q. Hi Bernard, how are you?
I used HF and nitric mixture, but at 10 percent the HF was super fast cutting and in lower it was very slow. Is there a catch in this that we have to wait for nitric and HF to react then put in the pieces?

Shobhit
- Delhi, India
December 26, 2024

Ed. note: This forum is intended to help build camaraderie through sharing of tips, pics, anecdotes, & opinions.
When people withhold their names, those readers who offer theirs may be less likely to engage.

A. Hi Shobhit,

Bernard's posting was from decades ago. We'll try to reach him and request a reply but it's not likely.

The two acids certainly must mix before you put the metal in, but I may be misunderstanding your question.

Luck & Regards,

ted_yosem
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

adv.
There is another option: electropolishing in salts, but special equipment is required.

Anna Berkovich
Russamer Lab

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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