[Jewelry making - Article 00894] - Re: [Orchid] Chemical etching of copper

[Katherine Palochak]

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    Some things which might affect the results of your etch with ferric
    chloride aRe: 

    1. Resist--try using PnP for getting fine lines and detail. It has a
    polymer coating of some sort that binds with the carbon-rich resist
    to make a really tough coating. 

    2. Make sure you're using a carbon-rich product. India ink,
    lampblack, carbon toner from laser printers or photocopiers. 

    3. Properly prep your metal. Cleanliness is imperative. Water must
    sheet off, no lint or dust. 

    4. Contaminants in the ferric chloride or water can affect the
    results. If you need to cut the mordant strength, use distilled water
    to prevent hard water problems such as calcium and soft water
    problems such as salts. 

    5. Brush the smut away frequently, like every 15 min. Suspend the
    work upside down to aid in removing smut. 

    6. With some resists, a slight tooth to the metal can aid in
    retention of the resist. Use a high grade sandpaper in 400 grit and
    stroke in one direction. Do not sand in a crosshatch or circular
    pattern. This allows small crossover points that etch more deeply and
    cause the resist to lift. 

    7. Nitric acid should only be handled by those who have adequate
    training. It requires stringent handling and disposal treatments. 

    8. Adjust the strength of the mordant according to the type of
    artwork you use. Fine lines require a fast etch with a quick bite,
    open artwork requires a slower etch to prevent swirl patterns and other 
    disturbances.


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