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Posted by Christopher Tidy on January 26, 2008, 11:40 pm
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Peter Fairbrother wrote:
> Christopher Tidy wrote:
>
>> Hi folks,
>>
>> I'm looking for a few etched specimens of common metals to photograph
>> under a microscope. Preferably including one or two which show a
>> microstructure which is visually pretty simple. Examples I'd be
>> interested in obtaining include cold rolled low carbon steel,
>> normalised low carbon steel, normalised medium carbon steel, grey and
>> white cast iron, annealed brass, etc. I'm not looking to spend a lot
>> of money. Anyone know where I might obtain some?
>>
>> Another possibility would be to obtain some concentrated nitric acid
>> in order to make the nitric acid and ethanol mix required for etching
>> most ferrous metals myself, but concentrated nitric acid doesn't seem
>> easy to obtain.
>>
>> Any suggestions? Thoughts would be appreciated.
>
>
>
> You can buy nitric acid from lpchemicals, but they have a minimum £50
> order (plus carriage and VAT).
I checked their website, but can only find dilute nitric acid. It's my
understanding that you need concentrated nitric acid.
> If you are anywhere near Trowbridge, Wiltshire, I can let you have some.
> But I can't post it :(
I don't unfortunately. But if that's concentrated, I might take you up
on the offer if I can't find any locally.
Best wishes,
Chris
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Posted by Kevin(Bluey) on January 26, 2008, 5:39 am
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Christopher Tidy wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> I'm looking for a few etched specimens of common metals to photograph
> under a microscope. Preferably including one or two which show a
> microstructure which is visually pretty simple. Examples I'd be
> interested in obtaining include cold rolled low carbon steel, normalised
> low carbon steel, normalised medium carbon steel, grey and white cast
> iron, annealed brass, etc. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money.
> Anyone know where I might obtain some?
>
> Another possibility would be to obtain some concentrated nitric acid in
> order to make the nitric acid and ethanol mix required for etching most
> ferrous metals myself, but concentrated nitric acid doesn't seem easy to
> obtain.
>
> Any suggestions? Thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Chris
>
Whats wrong with using ferric chloride ?It's used for etching pcbs
Available at electronic supply shops .
Safer than nitric acid .
I'm pretty sure it will etch ferrous and non ferrous metals.
--
Kevin (Bluey)
"I'm not young enough to know everything."
bluey69@west.net.com.au
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Posted by Jim Hawkins on January 26, 2008, 11:43 am
Please log in for more thread options
> Christopher Tidy wrote:
>> Hi folks,
>>
>> I'm looking for a few etched specimens of common metals to photograph
>> under a microscope. Preferably including one or two which show a
>> microstructure which is visually pretty simple. Examples I'd be
>> interested in obtaining include cold rolled low carbon steel, normalised
>> low carbon steel, normalised medium carbon steel, grey and white cast
>> iron, annealed brass, etc. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money.
>> Anyone know where I might obtain some?
>>
>> Another possibility would be to obtain some concentrated nitric acid in
>> order to make the nitric acid and ethanol mix required for etching most
>> ferrous metals myself, but concentrated nitric acid doesn't seem easy to
>> obtain.
>>
>> Any suggestions? Thoughts would be appreciated.
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Chris
>>
>
> Whats wrong with using ferric chloride ?It's used for etching pcbs
> Available at electronic supply shops .
> Safer than nitric acid .
> I'm pretty sure it will etch ferrous and non ferrous metals.
>
>
It sure etches stainless steel, as I discovered when I used one
of our dessert spoons to mix some. SWMBO wasn't amused.
Jim Hawkins
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Posted by Christopher Tidy on January 26, 2008, 11:51 pm
Please log in for more thread options Kevin(Bluey) wrote:
<snip>
> Whats wrong with using ferric chloride ?It's used for etching pcbs
> Available at electronic supply shops .
> Safer than nitric acid .
> I'm pretty sure it will etch ferrous and non ferrous metals.
I don't know. I just know that nitric acid in ethanol is the recommended
etch. It's also my understanding that it's possible to over- and
under-etch specimens intended for viewing under a microscope. It's not a
case where you want to leave it until the reaction ceases.
Best wishes,
Chris
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Posted by Cheshire Steve on January 26, 2008, 11:53 am
Please log in for more thread options > Hi folks,
>
> I'm looking for a few etched specimens of common metals to photograph
> under a microscope. Preferably including one or two which show a
> microstructure which is visually pretty simple. Examples I'd be
> interested in obtaining include cold rolled low carbon steel, normalised
> low carbon steel, normalised medium carbon steel, grey and white cast
> iron, annealed brass, etc. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money.
> Anyone know where I might obtain some?
>
> Another possibility would be to obtain some concentrated nitric acid in
> order to make the nitric acid and ethanol mix required for etching most
> ferrous metals myself, but concentrated nitric acid doesn't seem easy to
> obtain.
>
> Any suggestions? Thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Chris
You realise you need a metallurgical microscope - i.e. one which
illuminates from above. The majority of microscopes illuminate from
below.
You don't say why you want to do this - are you teaching yourself
metallurgy, or hoping to provide a technical service ? Its an
interesting area, and a lot of science goes into understanding what
you see. I can recommend a good book if you are interested.
Steve
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>
> I'm looking for a few etched specimens of common metals to photograph
> under a microscope. Preferably including one or two which show a
> microstructure which is visually pretty simple. Examples I'd be
> interested in obtaining include cold rolled low carbon steel, normalised
> low carbon steel, normalised medium carbon steel, grey and white cast
> iron, annealed brass, etc. I'm not looking to spend a lot of money.
> Anyone know where I might obtain some?
>
> Another possibility would be to obtain some concentrated nitric acid in
> order to make the nitric acid and ethanol mix required for etching most
> ferrous metals myself, but concentrated nitric acid doesn't seem easy to
> obtain.
>
> Any suggestions? Thoughts would be appreciated.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Chris
>