Newbie maker. Etching question.

N

Nr1madman

Joined
Nov 11, 2018
Messages
2
Hello everyone!

I have never worked or etched damascus.
Have purchased a damascus billet thats already etched in sulphuric acid. The steel looks great (1095/15n20 ladder type) but after shaping and grinding and heat treat I will have to re-etch.
Now for my question..
Sulphuricacid is illegal in sweden exept for those with permission so I will have to go another way.
Can I expect similar results with ferric acid? I have access to 500ml 72% ferric chloride.
How much do you recommend to dilute 72% pure ferric?
I guess that I have to grind down all the flats on my billet to get an even etch?

Thanks for answers :)
Robert
 
Ferric acid is what I, and most people use.
I have not done much damascus but I have heard multiple guys recently say that more diluted than the normal 4:1, say 9:1 gets a more even etch. It just takes longer.

Yes, you should grind and hand sand all of the visible parts of the knife to get a even finish. Do a quick test dip in the acid to make sure you ground off all of the decarb from the heat treat. I like to hand sand up to 800 grit and then after etching with 2500 grit to polish the higher 15n20.
 
In many parts of the world, it is referred to as Ferric Chloride.
The stock solution ( roughly 2 pounds of FC powder to a quart of water, or 1 kilo FC to 1.25 liter water) is called 42°Baume.
Dilute the stock solution between 3:1 and 8:1 with water, depending on how strong you want the etchant to be.
You can make a general use damascus etching solution directly by dissolving 1 pound of FC in 1 gallon of water. In metric, the ratio is .5 kilo FC to 4 liters water. This will etch a bit slower, but the etch may be clearer.

Now, to the more important question - what type of damascus are you etching? If it is stainless damascus, it etches better in stronger acids. Muriatic acid (HCl) is often available in hardware stores for doing brickwork. Sulphuric acid H2SO4) is available in hardware stores as drain cleaner in many places. Both are also available at pool and spa suppliers.
 
Thanks for the replys!

The steel is carbonsteel 1095 and 15n20 with a ladder pattern.
I have access to muriatic acid in hardware stores but in sweden sulphuric acid is prohibited.
From the youtube vids I have watched muriatic acid gives a more diffuse pattern?
I will try a weak mix of ferric acid for my first try!
Thanks :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top