[Jewelry making - Article 00434] - Re: [Orchid] Peroxide & Vinegar

[Chris Boothe]

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>     I'd be interested (I'm sure all of us will be) in the results of
>     the etching on platinum, and if so, would that include rhodium? I
>     take many painful tech calls requesting a way to remove rhodium
>     plating. 

    I originally perfected Multi-Etch for titanium production. It's a
    nonacid alternative to hydrofluoric acid. I've also tested it on
    other metals with great results. I manufacture a line of titanium
    wedding rings with platinum inlays. As all platinum fabricators are
    aware, the accepted method to remove cross-contamination prior to
    welding or soldering is a 15 minute soak in nitric acid or bisodium
    sulfate. With Multi-Etch, a 15 second dip is sufficient to eliminate
    all impurities that could interfere with a perfect weld or solder
    joint. 

    The equipment I use is available everywheRe: the standard off the
    shelf pyrex measuring cup and single coil hot plate with a heat
    diffuser (don't place the cup directly on the hot plate.) Do this
    under a fume hood or outside. For one ring I use 1/8th cup of
    Multi-Etch, heated to about 150 degrees F. You can use a thermometer
    or look for the built in Multi-Etch bubbles which tell you when it's
    ready to use (visual check.) These tiny bubbles appear when the
    Multi-Etch is brought up to the correct temperature. I dangle the
    platinum from a niobium wire into the Multi-Etch for 15 seconds and
    then rinse in distilled water. It's now ready for a perfect weld. 

    By the way, Multi-Etch will etch glass so as a rule I replace the cup
    every 3 months--it can shatter and make a mess. If you're
    high-production, then replace the cup more often.

    I've done limited testing with Multi-Etch on platinum for etch
    effects, that is, removal of platinum ions, and there doesn't seem to
    be any effect. I have not tested it with rhodium plating but I assume
    there would be no effect on that either. I'd be interested in
    hearing from other platinum workers how they would compare Multi-Etch
    to the standard protocols of platinum cleaning. Multi-Etch is 
available
    through Reactive Metals Studio,  reactivemetals.com.

    Thanks all you fellow metalheads! 

Chris (Electro-geezer)
Exotica Jewelry
(800) 297-6707
www.ringsforever.com
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