Etching zirconium with Multi-Etch

Zirconium cube and two zirconium crystal bars. By Alchemist-hp (CC BY-ND 3.0).

How to etch zirconium 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 for etching zirconium

                      
                          Preparing zirconium for anodizing using
                          Multi‑Etch
                        
                              Process
                            
                              Etch time (minutes)
                            
                              Notes
                            
                              150–160°F double strength
                            
                              1
                            
                              Slightly better colors
                            
                          Removing color from zirconium using Multi‑Etch
                        
                              Note: times are for removing high-voltage green;
                              lower voltage colors will take less time to
                              remove.
                            
                              Process
                            
                              Etch time (minutes)
                            
                              Surface change
                            
                              150–160°F double strength
                            
                              3
                            
                              Pitted
                            
                          Etch rates for zirconium using Multi‑Etch
                        
                              Process
                            
                              Etch time (minutes)
                            
                              Etch depth (inches, cumulative total)
                            
                              Surface change
                            
                              150–160°F double strength
                            
                              1
                            
                              0.00068
                            
                              None
                            
                              2
                            
                              0.00093
                            
                              Trend toward pitting
                            
                              3
                            
                              0.00133
                            
                              Trend toward pitting

Preparing zirconium for anodizing using Multi‑Etch
Process	Etch time (minutes)	Notes
150–160°F double strength	1	Slightly better colors

Removing color from zirconium using Multi‑Etch
Note: times are for removing high-voltage green; lower voltage colors will take less time to remove.
150–160°F double strength	3	Pitted

Etch rates for zirconium using Multi‑Etch
Process	Etch time (minutes)	Etch depth (inches, cumulative total)	Surface change
150–160°F double strength
	1	0.00068	None
	2	0.00093	Trend toward pitting
	3	0.00133	Trend toward pitting

Step-by-step guides on etching with Multi-Etch

The guides below demonstrate etching with titanium, but the order of steps are the same for etching zirconium.

Tips and tricks when etching with Multi-Etch

Ordering Multi-Etch

Multi-Etch can be ordered throughout the world!

Questions? You can contact Multi-Etch by phone or email.