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Up Topic Welding Industry / Technical Discussions / Macro Etch for Copper to Copper Laser Welds
- - By OBEWAN (***) Date 06-14-2012 18:49
What is a good macro etch for laser welds on copper?

Is ferric chloride in water - HCl best?  We have tried a few different acid mixes with less than desired results.

What is the ASTM suggestion?  I think we have tried 50-50 Nitric and HCl in water but it is still too gentle.

What about straight undiluted acid on the weld?  This one is dangerous I think. And, it might just turn black.

Also posted in Metallurgy forum.
Parent - By Solluz (*) Date 06-15-2012 18:56
Hi,  The ASM International Handbook Vol. 9, 9th Edition on Metallography and Microstructures lists 21 different etchants for coppers, but states that the following etchant is by far the most widely used etchant:  

20mL NH4OH (amonium hydroxide), 0-20mL H2O (water),  8-20mL 3% H202  (hydrogen peroxide)   (Immersion or swabbing 1 min.  H2O2 content varies with copper content of alloy to be etched.  Use fresh H2O2 for best results.
Up Topic Welding Industry / Technical Discussions / Macro Etch for Copper to Copper Laser Welds

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