Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

     
name         Richard W. M.
status       educator
age          60s

Question -   Could you tell me the name of an acid that etches nickel.
When you reached the desired depth of etching, you simply rinsed it with
water which stopped the process. Thank You for your consideration in this
matter. 
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Nickel requires acid plus oxidizer to etch.
Dilute nitric acid (HNO3) is both in one.
Try concentrations starting with 10:1 dilution until you get the speed you 
like.
Hydrogen peroxide plus HCl or maybe H2SO4, all dilute, may work well too.
Then you can experiment with having more oxidizer than acid, or v/v.
They certainly rinse off with water.

Jim Swenson
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