Making Ferric Chloride to Etch Metal

This video quickly goes over the synthesis process for Ferric Chloride. Remember to use proper protective gear and work in a well ventilated area when working with acids.

[@blackvoid4033]

No clue what ferric chloride is but still entertaining

[@tikkidaddy]

Damn dude! You're a knife maker too😂subbed

[@kitnaim7805]

Does iron chloride help slow down the rust a bit when picking a knife in it?

[@ArcaneTinker]

How do you know when you have added enough peroxide? I have also heard that you can use a fish tank aerator in lieu of a peroxide treatment, but again, do not know when the Fe2 becomes Fe3

[@elemental_workshop]

I don't know that there's a super exact answer for this as the hydrogen peroxide is simply there to speed up the reaction and introduce oxygen into the mixture more quickly. If you add too little or no peroxide the iron II chloride will still eventually turn into Ferric Chloride just due to exposure to ambient Oxygen in the air. That, however, can take a very long time so it may just be best to overshoot and add a little extra peroxide, as hydrogen peroxide will decompose into water and oxygen when exposed to light long enough, so it won't really interfere with the rest of the Ferric Chloride. That being said, if it is still bubbling, it's best not etch anything in it yet, as the bubbles will interfere with the etching process and give you an uneven etch. If you want you can also check out NurdRage's video, it's more precise than mine and you may find it more helpful: th-cam.com/video/43Xsh9J7S-g/w-d-xo.html

[@bigddw4]

would this process work at all with stainless?

[@jarodmorris611]

Generally, no. Most stainless won't etch with this stuff. That's how they make damascus steel with those cool patterns. The non-stainless (often 1080 or 1095) will etch dark but the stainless will not.

[@cankurdzen4287]

ferric chloride gun bluing !!

[@RandomEmmail]

Now it did`t sound like daly does of internet

[@elemental_workshop]

Haha thanks, I made an effort not to

[@RandomEmmail]

Ok

[@jarodmorris611]

I'm in the process of making some. I'm making a big batch, about a gallon. I put in 1250ml of muriatic acid and 3 balls of 0000 steel wool. All bust just a little of the steel wool was dissolved. I slowly added two 32oz bottles of 3% hydogen peroxide. Now it looks like beer. It isn't dark like yours. Any ideas?

[@elemental_workshop]

First I'd like to put a little disclaimer that I'm by no means a chemist so I'm not 100% sure what would cause that. That being said it sounds like you may not have added enough steel wool to the reaction to react with all the muriatic acid. There are definitely better resources than my video if you want more exact measurements of how much to add in relation to how much acid you have. As a general rule of thumb I just add the steel wool until it stops reacting.
Also, 2 32 oz bottles of peroxide may be a bit more than you want for that amount and could have watered it down a bit. In the end thats not nearly as big a deal as having unreacted HCl though, but excess peroxide can sometimes form unwanted bubbles when you are trying to etch metal and give you a less than optimal etch.

[@jarodmorris611]

@@elemental_workshop - I apologize, I"m just now seeing this. I really appreciate the reply. I ended up buying ferric chloride from Jantz Supply. They're semi-local to me (about an hour or so away from me). I have been so busy with work and other projects (trampolines, zip line, vacations, etc) to even do another knife. I need to because my cousin has been getting into leather working. I told him I'd make 2 knives, one for me, one for him and he could make 2 sheaths and send one complete knife and sheath back to me and keep the other.

[@elemental_workshop]

@@jarodmorris611 oh nice! I bought some 1080 steel from them last year and I've been really pleased with how easy it's been to work with. I will hopefully be posting a knife making video here in a couple weeks.