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Etching

Etching is a process in which acid is used to dissolve unwanted material from the workpiece. A mask is used to prevent etching of wanted surfaces. Etching generally leaves a matt finish due to the nature in which metal dissolves. As etching occurs at an increased rate on metal crystal or grain boundaries etching can be used to reveal a metals microstructure.

Originally I purchased etchant to remove firescale on silver and gold pieces of thin gauge. As etchant dissolves material more quickly at metal grain boundaries, I use this to examine weld samples as the weld bead becomes very clear after etching. An etched weld sample gives an indication of weld penetration and can therefore be used to assist in the adjustments of settings on the MIG welder.

More recently I have experimented with artistic etching, below is an example. The example below suffers from poor masking and the etchant clearly has penetrated beneath the mask. In future artistic etching I will use a photomask or a wax mask that can easily be removed to allow etching.


Etch Experiment

This is a photograph of an etch sample showing etchant that has penetrated into the mask.