Ferric Chloride Q's

[Jason Fry]

I read the sticky info regarding ferric chloride, but still have some questions.
I was able to find a pint of FC at Radio Shack. Nowhere on the bottle does it say anything about concentration. Do I need to dilute the solution for etching blades. Am I right to Always Add Acid? Two, what can the solution be stored in safely? Any tips for disposal after the fact, as it seems to be nasty stuff that doesn't belong down the drain. Does FC take a resist, like sharpie or something, for selective etching? Thanks for the help.

 

[John M Cohea]

For damascus I use a soultion of 1 part ferric to 4 parts distilled water, for wrought iron I use 50/50. I don't think ferric is as volitle as say muratic or hydrocloric so I don't think it matters much. I have done it both ways with no issues. I made a ferric tank from a 14 inch long piece of 3 inch pvc with a cap on one end and a screw cap on the other end so I can close it when I'm done with it.A tank of ferric will last a good while before it becomes in effective. As far as disposal, I pour mine on the few remaining grass spots in my smithy to kill it off. This may not be conventional, but it works for me you can use a resist for selective etching. I use either fingernail polish or model car paint in the small bottles.Both are easily removed with acetone. I hope this helps.

 

[Phil Dwyer]

You might want to check these two threads out on that question.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=616649
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=595598
.

 

[Jason Fry]

Thanks for the links, Phil.

So a 3:1 solution of water to FC would be a good place to start, but even 10:1 is useful sometimes? Previous threads talk about diluting a stock solution made from dry FC and water. Where does the Radio Shack stuff fit on this scale?

 

[scottickes]

I dilute the ferric chloride with three parts water.

 

[Mike Krall]

Thanks for the links, Phil.

So a 3:1 solution of water to FC would be a good place to start, but even 10:1 is useful sometimes? Previous threads talk about diluting a stock solution made from dry FC and water. Where does the Radio Shack stuff fit on this scale?

I'm pretty sure the Radio Shack FeCl3 is 42 Baume. Somewhere Mike Fitzgerald lined out how to mix dry ferric chloride to the same strength.

Mike

Edit: Found it... post #6... http://www.knifenetwork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45625&highlight=ferric+chloride