Sorry- I am trying to etch copper. I tried every Radio Shack around a 50 mile radius and none of them has the PCBE in stock- nor know when they will be getting it. I finally did find a website that sells it and ordered 6 bottles as they only had 18 in stock. Guess I won't run out for awhile!
The class I took only used the Ferric Chloride, so I am trying to find info on other etchants.

Are you saying that muratic acid will not etch the copper or is that an alternative? I used to work at HD so I know the dangers of using that chemical.

Will the Ferric Chloride etch brass?
Is Nitric Acid ok for both sterling and fine silver?

Sorry about all the questions :-) As you can see, I'm a newbie at the etching.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions and help! Renee

Renee,

Yes, Ferric Chloride (FeCl) will etch brass, as it is a copper alloy. The speed, depth and smoothness of the etch will depend on the particualr alloy of the brass (there are dozens) and the time/temp/concentration of the FeCl mordant.

Muriatic acid, (dilute HCl), will etch copper, and is likely to be a somewhat faster and rougher etch, depending on the concentration you use. I would stick with the FeCl for copper unless you want to develop a very deep etch in heavier stock.

Nitric acid (HNO3) will etch sterling, fine silver and other silver alloys. It is considerably more dangerous than muriatic acid, so read and follow all the safety precautions.

I would suggest you obtain and study several books on the subject. "Metal Techniques for Craftsmen" by Oppi Untracht has some good information on etching, as do a number of other books on metalsmithing. You may also find good information in books on printmaking. If your local library doesn't have them, you might want to try to obtain them through the Inter-Library Loan (ILL) system. Ask your librarian for details.

Thanks Rich for the info. I will do as suggested :-) Renee

If you want to etch sterling you can use ferric nitrate rather than nitric acid - if you want a gentler chemical to work with. :)
Janice

I also had trouble finding it. Finally I found it in quart and gallon (pre-mixed) at a (vague) strength of 32-42 Baume. Look into any electronics supply place. oo Used to etch circuit boards. Also found online at ArtChem.com (in crystal form).
SculptNouveau.com has good premixed patinas too.
Good luck, Susan

check out http://www.artchemicals.com/

I checked the local Radio Shack for ferric chloride recently and was told they don't carry it. Apparently some individuals who had purchased it previously were attempting to use it for making explosives.

DRY CONCENTRATED ETCHANT
(FERRIC CHOLRIDE)
Datak supplies FeCl in a dry, powder form and the user must add it to water to make the etching solution. The 1/4 lb. package produces 1 pint...It also appears to be stronger than the premixed solution from Radio shack.
BTW.. RS still carries it in the kit, same for Rio.

Hi everyone,

I was researching the capabilities of different etchants on google and came across this thread of people looking for a source of ferric chloride.

I hope it's not been too long to bump this thread, but at MG Chemicals we supply ferric chloride, ammonium persulfate, and sodium persulfate in reasonable quantities to all of the USA and Canada through our distribution network (sizes from 500ml to a drum).

Our ferric chloride page is here:
http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/415.html

Allied Electronics will supply it to anywhere in the USA or Canada:
http://www.alliedelec.com/Search/ProductDetail.aspx?SKU=6610390&MPN=415-1L

and we have many other distributors listed here:
http://www.mgchemicals.com/distributors/index.html

I, too, have joined (today in fact) and read this thread with interest. FWIW:

1) I have used FeCl for the last 45 years to etch copper on PCBs first , later brass and most recently *steel* with good results.

2) The worst side-effect was to turn my mother's toilet bowl yellow.

3)Most recently I got mine here:
http://www.active123.com/eng/storeSection/redirect.cfm?sectionID=b2c/search/productSearchResults.cfm&itemCategoryLevel2=43612&itemCategoryLevel1=43604&number_results=12

4) It can be re-used several times.

5) Clean up is easier if neutralized first with soda bicarbonate.