Re: Technical questions on etching and annealing

Jun 30, 2003 2 Replies

Rate this thread:

Michele Blank 23 years ago

another possibility might be that the rougher sides caused more air pockets/bubbles in the etching medium so didn't etch as completely. when i etch i always 'work' the acid to alleviate this problem.?? m

> 1. Is it generally true that opaque glasses etch more easily/evenly than
> > transparent glasses?
>
> As opal glasses have a second phase which is crystalline, it can well be
> that this is more easily attacked by the etchant than is the body glass.
> There are two main types, fluoride and phosphate opals.
> --
> Terry Harper
>
formatting link

Vote

kitty 23 years ago

That does indeed help. Another thing to watch is the cleanliness of item to be etched. Make sure there is no grease residue or handling residue [from hands/fingers] etc...it can act as a 'block' to the etching.

Kitty

Vote

D Brock 23 years ago

All:

Thanks for the comments. Just for the record --- yeah, I'm very careful with this stuff. I actually have (back in university days) used HF acid to do glass etching (non-artistic), was quite rightly paranoid/careful with the stuff. It's nasty.

I'm pretty sure that the effects I'm seeing are not related to either the glass being dirty at start, or to pieces touching each other or the sides of the container. From the responses I'm getting here and other places, it seems like my thoughts about different annealing states affecting the etching properties are at least plausible...

Thanks for the responses --- and other people's thoughts and observations are still quite welcome! I'm still watching!

--Dave

vermiculite)

Vote

Join the Discussion

Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.

Didn't find your answer?

Ask the community — no account required