Thread: Etching with nitric acid

Yesterday I bought some 60% nitric acid at the apothecary because I wanted to try my hand at etching. Anyone know a good introduction to this topic?

No Help on etching,but try some real rust bluing with the acid,long process but it lasts.

As a biochemist, I would be a bit careful with that nitric!

Yeah, I know. In highschool I was in science class with a specialization in chemistry. I know nitric acid is nasty stuff, and at 60% it can be dangerous. I know it is used for etching pictures in steel. That's why I'd like to start from an good example instead of going the trial and error route

At least it's not fluoric acid
Now THAT is some truly nasty stuff.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Yeah, I know. In highschool I was in science class with a specialization in chemistry. I know nitric acid is nasty stuff, and at 60% it can be dangerous. I know it is used for etching pictures in steel. That's why I'd like to start from an good example instead of going the trial and error route

At least it's not fluoric acid
Now THAT is some truly nasty stuff.

ha ha ha .. I was thinking that when you mentioned nitric. Fluoric acid is among the weakest of acids, and among the most deadly/damaging. Those small molecules and slip through the skin and cause major issues.

Originally Posted by MajorEthanolic

ha ha ha .. I was thinking that when you mentioned nitric. Fluoric acid is among the weakest of acids, and among the most deadly/damaging. Those small molecules and slip through the skin and cause major issues.

Back when I was young and naive, I actually listened when a bricklayer told me to use hydrochloric acid and a mop to clean up cement dust that had set on a floor in a non ventilated room. I figured out this wasn't a good idea when my nose started bleeding and it didn't stop anymore

Anyway, when I do etching of pattern welded steel, I use ferric chloride. Much friendlier to work with. But for etching steel, it's too weak.

You can really live on the dangerous side,make up some Aqua Rigia,(nitric and Hydrochloric) will disslove Gold and platinum.
Can also spontainiously explode (don't ask me how i Know this

[QUOTE=pixelfixed; (don't ask me how i Know this[/QUOTE]

How do you know this????

I've seen a knifemaker on youtube say this. It's powerful stuff and you can do beautiful things with it. But never ever do this because it can explode.

Originally Posted by Raol

How do you know this????

from losing the sight in my left eye for two monthes