rolynd - 9-2-2007 at 07:10
I want to electro-etch titanium and want to know if anybody has an idea what to use for electrolyte. I am staying away from strong acids, usually
metal salt solutions will work good, I use plain tablesalt for steel, coppersulfate for copper and aluminum, ironsulphate works also for brass and
bronze.
From the thread on titanium it seems titaniumsulfate wont work as it needs strong sulfuric acid to be in solution.
markingmethods.com sells an electrolyte for titanium at an outrageous price which I'm not willing to pay but from there I know something works.
Any Ideas?
PS:Tablesalt and coppersulfate do work on titanium but only a very very litte bit no good etch possible.
12AX7 - 9-2-2007 at 09:13
Something with fluoride and acid, no doubt. 
Does the hexafluorotitanate ion form without acid? Not-too-acidic sodium or potassium fluoride might do it.
If you don't wish to oxidize with electricity, H2O2 may work, although Ti complexes readily with peroxide, possibly making that a bad choice...
Tim
chromium - 9-2-2007 at 09:29
I have some recipies that are claimed to work for electreolytical etching of titanium. All of them contain alkali fluoride or hydrofluoric acid.
Typical recipie is NaF strongly acidified with mixture of acids containing sulfuric and nitric, phosphoric or chromic acid.
If you decide to try this do it outside and be sure that no electrolyte gets in contact with your skin! It may well kill you through skin absorption
because of HF content.
unionised - 9-2-2007 at 09:47
Before I went anywhere near using HF and its salts I'd put some effort into checking if things like tartrate or oxalate form soluble Ti complexes.
(And if they didn't I'd probably give up rather than use HF)
So, no easy way it seems
rolynd - 9-2-2007 at 11:52
Thanks guys,
as said I will stay away from using strong acids and especially something like HF and try some more harmless stuff. I have etched with acids before
even with good results but you have to be careful. A dangerous mix of acids and toxic substances is not sonething I like to have around the shop.
preferrably I work the way mentioned before. Its always wise to know someones limits.
Regards
Roland
Eclectic - 9-2-2007 at 14:48
Try oxalic acid.
gerarddekker - 16-3-2016 at 01:56
I stay away form HF. I am using this stuff for etching : http://www.biketweaks.com/titanium-etching-multi-etch-europe
trying to figure out what is in it. I think it's Amoniumpersulfate mixed with something else.