[Jewelry making - Article 00468] - Re: [Orchid] Working with Titanium

[James E Good]

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>        I think the reason people are mentioning the danger is to make
>     very sure people are aware of it. WE are not all chemists, or even
>     "chemically aware". It is far more dangerous than other acids, and
>     people need to know this. 

    About two and a half years ago, I retired from a defense contractor.
     During the years at that company I had worked in several different
    areas and saw and learned many different things about the metals
    being used.  Mostely that company used titanium and aluminum for the
    low weight and high strength of the finished assembly.  All of the
    various acids that have been mentioned were used daily.  In fact,
    there is one compound that I was supposed to use until I read the
    MSDS for each ingredient.  The compound is called "keller's etch" (I
    did not use capital letters because I am not sure that the formula
    was maned after a person).  The compound is used (now only in a lab
    setting) to allow inspection of certain types of mechinal joints. 
    The part to be tested was cut lengthwise and the end to be inspected
    was polished with a clean file then 600+ crocus cloth.  A drop of
    the etch solution would show the detail needed. 

    The etch is a solution of three different acids and de-ionized water
    (I don't remember the exact percent of each acid in the solution nor
    if the percent was for total weight or total volumn).  The acids
    used are hydrocloric, hydroflouric, and nitric.  The MSDS for each
    cautioned against mixing with other strong agents.  Two of the MSDS
    papers cautioned against mixing with one of the other acid used in
    the final solution.  And at least one cautioned against contact with
    aluminum, the result would be excessive heat.  This solution is used
    on aluminum parts. 

    After carefully reading the MSDS for all of the different acids used
    and for the final product, I started talking to the safety and
    anviroment people at the company.  The salaried person that had told
    me to use the stuff insisted that it was safe.  The safety people
    highlighted relavent parts of the different MSDS and held them in
    front of his face.  If the company had given me a "glove box"
    enclosure to work in, I would have been more willing to use it.  The
    safety people instead wated the company to build a booth with an
    emergency shower in event of spill or contact.  Not long after that,
    the solution vanished from the work area. 

    If Orchid could (and perhaps they do) have in archives the MSDS for
    all acids and compounds that are and can be used in this activity,
    the search for information could be a bit easier. 

    Thank you for a very good and informative list. 

Jim

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