Ferric Chloride

I tried the Source but they don't even know what Printed circuit board etchant is, and also called some of the places that jer_vic sent but they only sell to businesses .
 
You can buy ferric chloride from any electronics seller, electro sonic, dc solutions, places like this all have it. What are you using it for? You can use merratic acid and hrdogen peroxide to etch boards, this may work for what your doing.

Merratic acid is avaliable at any home depot, lowes, canadian tire for cleaning masonary. http://www.instructables.com/id/Stop-using-Ferric-Chloride-etchant!--A-better-etc/

If your hard set on using ferric chloride here is a listing by e-sonic
http://www.e-sonic.com/acc/products.aspx?partID=415-500ML&partIDExt=281&command=detail
 
freire said:
I tried the Source but they don't even know what Printed circuit board etchant is, and also called some of the places that jer_vic sent but they only sell to businesses .
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Did you talk to the wage-monkeys or go look around the (limited) supply of hands-on stuff? The stuff I bought about 2 years back in Edmonton, was in a 500 ML bottle, and sitting in a corner shelf with the hobbiest electronics stuff.

Most of the counter staff can barely get you a useful cross reference on a watch battery. Been a long time since I found one with actual hands-on skills with the components or tools.

But if the one you went to had none, and you looked around, try a different one.

Around your area there has to be at least a couple decent suppliers for electronics repair supplies.

Cheers
Trev
 
I want to thank everybody for your help, and i think i can get what i need from SAYAL but no way to know for sure until Monday.

Trevj i really never went to the Source physically , i'm down with the flu and i haven't left the house for the last four days, i just called and the guy really didn't know what Printed circuit board etchant is.

And for those that are wondering what i need this for its to etch some knives that i made.

Cheers
Victor
 
I'm assuming you are etching damascus prior to rust-bluing? If so, Copper Sulfate can be substituted and is much easier to find.
 
Davie Sprocket said:
You can use merratic acid and hrdogen peroxide to etch boards, this may work for what your doing.

Merratic acid is avaliable at any home
Click to expand...

I think you would have more success asking for murriatic acid which is an archaic name for hydrochloric acid

I don't think that ferric chloride is on the restricted list so perhaps if you could find someone with a business license to buy some for you from a chemical supply house. Ferric chloride as a dry powder, by the way, is extremely hydroscopic and you can almost watch the dampness forming

cheers mooncoon
 
hi

are you acid etching: as in applying an asphaltum resist, cutting a pattern into the resist, and then using the acid to erode the base metal ? ( such as many designs were put into knives, way back when )

or... you have a knife made of patternwelded steel and want to show the contrast between the two metals ? if so ...it would be good to know what base metals make up the damascus composite

eg... if it was 15n20 and 1095, then ferric chloride would be a great choice

or if it is the same metal folded upon itself ... maybe a heated lemon solution may work, pending on how you've polished the piece

or even dilute nitric acid and distilled water, which works well for many alloys and also for revealing banding, and hamon ( not an acid for a novice, as the reagent grade stuff is quite strong )

or.. acetic acid vinegar will work if given enough time ... but results are not what i'd call " eye candy "

also, becareful to neutralize and wash down the blade with water after the ferric dip... the Cl has a habit of corroding later on if its not delt with...
 
Some drug stores will carry ferric chloride. Its used as a blood clotting agent.

If using as a chemical etch for base metal removal you may consider a salt water ans TSP electro chemical etch.
 
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