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! View the list of Multi-Etch retailers.

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