ferric chloride question

Not positive on this but I think you just mix with water. Depending on the desired concentration. 1/2 powder 1/2 water gives you a 50% solution.

Use a plastic or glass container, Just like acid, add the powder slowly to the water. This will give off heat and could spatter if you just dump it in. And will stain pretty much anything. Including you.
 
Yes, slowly add the desired amount of powder to distilled water with stirring. The concentrated stuff from Radio Shack is about 30%. That means that people typically use a 7-10% by weight solution.

Also, mix with good ventilation; outdoors would be best. It will give off hydrochloric acid gas. Don't breathe it.

It may form a solid that will settle out in a few days. You can pour the liquid off into a new container and use it.
 
make sure you hermetically seal the powder for storage - it is real thirsty for water :)
Wear a face mask to avoid breathing in the powder, the particles are minute and go
airborne very easily.
 
rashid11 is very correct on the face mask!!!!!!
Ferric in powder form is very nasty to work with, i would also include wearing rubber gloves, and very old clothing.
mix 1/3 of the bag (not using it all at once) with distilled water. the ratio should be included in the bag. If not contact the supplier for the ratio mix.
Mix out side or in a very well ventilated area, the fumes are real bad at first.
Use a larger container than need, the mix will get very hot and stay hot for a long time. My mix boiled for 45min and was hot for 6hrs later. wait until it cools then test on some old steel and add small amounts to get the strength you like. Remember! a slow etch is a better etch.
 
I just ordered 1 pound of powdered FC and from what I can tell on this thread if I were to mix 1 pound of powder to 1 gallon of water, or 8 pounds of water that would give me about 20% solution. I am wanting to etch damascus. What would be a good concentration? Thanks.

Randy Bush
 
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