Proper Handling/Disposal of FeCl?

D

deker

Joined
Nov 14, 2005
Messages
3,496
So, I finally found my Radio Shack with FeCl in stock, and I'm getting ready to go to HT on a blade I plan to etch to see if I find a Hamon. I'm wondering though how you folks handle your FeCl. Do you generally dilute and keep the dilute mixture around for reuse, or dilute a small amount for each etch, etc?

I want to make sure that when handling strong acids that I do so safely. For example, how would I properly neutralize it if I had to dispose of it, etc?

Thanks!

-d
 
i set up an etchung tank and it lasts for a couple of years. My etching tank is a piece of 3 inch dia ABS pipe with a cap on one end and a threaded cap on the other. I made 2 of these one for the FeCl and one for the stop agent. Some use windex for this, I have used Tri Sodium Phosphate, (TSP). I also have used an ammonia dilution. I believe the back of the container tell you how to neutralize and dispose of. If not it should tell you were to go to find out. Most makers mix 1 part FeCl to 3 parts water.

Chuck
 
dump it down the tolit and flush. That's the instructions on the back of the last bottle of ferric I bought, and that's for the full strength stuff. Remember that ferric is a very mild acid, along the lines of viniger. Take precautions, but dont expect it to eat through a foot of steel in 10 seconds.
 
3 parts water to 1 part ferric seems to be the most popular mix with 3 to 4 minute soaks and a light scrub with 000 steel wool in between soaks to remove suface deposite untill you reach the desired etch. Windex in a spray bottle provides more than enough amonia to neutralize the acid at the end of the etching process.
Recent discusions with experianced damascus makers have seen a trend towards 10 to 1 mix ratios and 10 to 15 min. soaks. According to these guys they get far better color contast this way. The weaker solution may be what you are looking for to bring out your harmon.
Good luck with your project and keep the feric away from your clothes unless you want holes in them a couple of months later.:thumbup:

peter
 
Just don't get any aluminum near it. You get a lot of white smoke as it eats through the aluminum. My high school electronics teacher found that out when he left some boards to etch in an aluminum baking pan. There was no pan left when he returned :rolleyes:

Phil
 
Will52100 said:
dump it down the tolit and flush. That's the instructions on the back of the last bottle of ferric I bought, and that's for the full strength stuff.
Click to expand...

If you do then make sure you have no metal pipes. Try to neutralize the whole batch first with TSP or Windex or the like.

Chuck
 
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