Etching titanium with Multi-Etch
How to etch titanium with Multi-Etch, the safer alternative to hydrofluoric acid
Multi-Etch was originally developed for use on titanium, and is a perfect low acid (pH 6.8) alternative to hazardous hydrofluoric (HF) acid
How much titanium will one gallon of Multi-Etch etch? Approximately 1,500 square inches of titanium when dipped for three seconds at 120–150°F. As you etch, the etchant gradually becomes ineffective and contaminated with titanium ions that can re-plate to the metal, causing uneven anodizing.
Etch times shown in the charts below are guidelines. Etch times can vary depending on the freshness of the etch bath.
Surface finish — whether polished, matte, etc. — will be maintained as long as the etch time is less than 20 seconds. Longer etch times will tend to change polished finishes to matte. After 5 minutes, the finish starts to trend to semi-polished.
Titanium with mill oxides, which are hard to see, may require longer etching times. For many small parts, use a tumbler with ceramic media moistened with double strength Multi-Etch; tumble for approximately 15 minutes.
Download a PDF version of titanium etch rates for Multi-Etch.
Grade | Process | Etch time | Surface change |
---|---|---|---|
All grades | |||
150–160°F regular strength | 7-10 seconds | Brightens | |
70°F double strength | 2 minutes | Brightens |
Note: Times are for removing high-voltage green; lower voltage colors will take less time to remove. | |||
Grade | Process | Etch time | Surface change |
---|---|---|---|
1 (CP) | |||
150–160°F regular strength | 30 seconds | Brightens/matte | |
150–160°F double strength | 30 seconds | Brightens/matte | |
70°F double strength | 6 minutes | Brightens/matte | |
2 (CP) | |||
150–160°F regular strength | 2 minutes | Brightens/matte | |
150–160°F double strength | 75 seconds | Brightens/matte | |
70°F double strength | 24 minutes | Brightens/matte | |
4 (CP) | |||
150–160°F regular strength | 50 seconds | Brightens/matte | |
150–160°F double strength | 40 seconds | Brightens/matte | |
70°F double strength | 8 minutes | Brightens/matte | |
5 (6/4 aircraft grade) | |||
150–160°F regular strength | 1 minute 40 seconds | Brightens/matte | |
150–160°F double strength | 1 minute | Brightens/matte | |
70°F double strength | 40 minutes | Brightens/matte |
Grade | Process | Etch time (minutes) | Etch depth (inches, cumulative total) | Surface change |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 (CP) | ||||
150–160°F regular strength | ||||
1 | 0.00012 | Brightens/matte | ||
2 | 0.00023 | Brightens/matte | ||
3 | 0.0004 | Brightens/matte | ||
150–160°F double strength | ||||
1 | 0.00023 | Brightens/matte | ||
2 | 0.0006 | Brightens/matte | ||
3 | 0.0008 | Brightens/matte | ||
2 (CP) | ||||
150–160°F regular strength | ||||
1 | 0.00016 | Brightens/matte | ||
2 | 0.00036 | Brightens/matte | ||
3 | 0.00046 | Brightens/matte | ||
150–160°F double strength | ||||
1 | 0.00045 | Brightens/matte | ||
2 | 0.00092 | Brightens/matte | ||
3 | 0.00115 | Brightens/matte | ||
4 (CP) | ||||
150–160°F regular strength | ||||
1 | 0.00015 | Brightens/matte | ||
2 | 0.0003 | Brightens/matte | ||
3 | 0.00035 | Brightens/matte | ||
150–160°F double strength | ||||
1 | 0.00025 | Brightens/matte | ||
2 | 0.001 | Brightens/matte | ||
3 | 0.0012 | Brightens/matte | ||
5 (6/4 aircraft grade) | ||||
150–160°F double strength | ||||
1 | no change | Brightens/matte | ||
2 | 0.000084 | Brightens/matte | ||
3 | 0.00022 | Brightens/matte | ||
4 | 0.00043 | Brightens/matte |
Step-by-step guides on etching titanium with Multi-Etch
Tips and tricks when etching titanium with Multi-Etch
Ordering Multi-Etch
Multi-Etch can be ordered throughout the world!
Questions? You can contact Multi-Etch by phone or email.