Consumables / Metallographic Etching

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Metallographic Etching Consumables

Etching is a critical step in metallographic specimen preparation used to reveal the microstructural features of metals and alloys. By selectively attacking different phases or grain boundaries, etchants enhance contrast and make structures like grains, inclusions, and phase distributions visible under the microscope. PACE Technologies provides a range of etching consumables—both chemical and electrolytic—formulated for reliable, consistent results across various materials. Our etching solutions support accurate interpretation in quality control, failure analysis, and research applications.

Key Tips for Etching

  • Material Compatibility – Select etchants tailored to your metal type for optimal microstructure contrast.
  • Surface Prep – Polish and clean specimens thoroughly to avoid interference from residues or scratches.
  • Etch Timing – Control exposure time to prevent over-etching or underdeveloped structural detail.
  • Safe Handling – Use PPE and work in ventilated areas when handling chemical etchants.
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Etchant Database

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Introduction Product Descriptions Etchants by Material Etchant Database

Introduction

Etching is a critical process used to reveal the microstructure of metallographic specimens. Common etching techniques include chemical, electrolytic, thermal, plasma, molten salt, and magnetic methods. However, the two most widely used are:


PACE Technologies provides a wide range of proven etching solutions tailored for specific materials and applications.

Etching Product Descriptions

Below is a summary of our most commonly used etchants, categorized by material type. All products are available in standard 250 ml bottles unless otherwise noted.

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Etchant Composition Concentration Conditions Comments
Adler EtchantCopper ammonium chloride, Hydrochloric acid, Ferric chloride, DI Water9g, 150ml, 45g, 75mlImmersion300 series stainless steel, superalloys
Al-NaOH EtchantNaOH, Distilled water25g, 250mlImmersionAluminum alloys
Ammonium Persulfate Etchant(NH4)2S2O8, Distilled water50g, 245mlImmersionBrasses with cobalt
ASTM No. 30Ammonia, Hydrogen Peroxide (3%), DI Water62.5ml, 125ml, 62.5mlSwab 5–45 secCopper and copper alloys
ASTM 97KOH, Distilled water187.5g, 245mlElectrolytic, 2.5VFe-Cr-Ni alloys
ASTM No. 157CrO3, HCl, Distilled water31.25g, 187.5ml, 62.5mlImmersionHastelloy
Beraha'sDistilled water, Na2S2O3, K2S2O5250ml, 25g, 7.5gImmersionTool steel – colors ferrite, martensite, etc.
CarpentersFeCl3, CuCl2, HCl, HNO3, Ethanol8.5g, 2.4g, 122ml, 6ml, 122mlImmersion, 20°CDuplex and 300 stainless steels
Copper No.1Nitric acid, Distilled water125ml, 125mlImmersion, 20°CCopper and brass
Copper No.2DI Water, HCl, FeCl3200ml, 50ml, 10gImmersion, 20°CCopper and brass
CU-PASS-SOLCuSO4·5H2O, H2SO4, DI Water40g, 1.5ml, 245ml—Detects free iron on stainless steels
DichromateH2SO4, DI Water, NaCl (saturated), K2Cr2O736ml, 445ml, 18ml, 8.9g—For Cu-Sn (tin bronze)
Fry's EtchantHCl, CuCl2, DI Water, Alcohol100ml, 12.5g, 75ml, 65ml—Martensitic and PH stainless steels
Inconel EtchantMultiple Solutions (HNO3, HCl, H2O2)VariedUse fresh onlyMacro etch for Ni alloys
Kalling's No. 2CuCl2, HCl, Ethanol5g, 100ml, 100mlImmersion/Swab, 20°CDuplex, Ni-Cu superalloys
Keller'sDI Water, HNO3, HCl, HF190ml, 5ml, 3ml, 2ml10–30 sec immersionAluminum and titanium
Klemm's ReagentNa2S2O3 solution, K2S2O5250ml sat., 5gSeconds to minutesBrass, bronze, cast iron, steel
Klemm's 2Na2S2O3 solution, K2S2O5250ml sat., 25gUp to minutes at 40°CCopper, cast iron, tin
Kroll’sDI Water, HNO3, HF92ml, 6ml, 2mlSwab up to 20 secTitanium and alloys
Marble'sCuSO4, HCl, Water10g, 50ml, 50mlSwab or immerse 5–60 secNi, Ni-Cu, Ni-Fe superalloys
Murakami'sK3Fe(CN)6, KOH, Water10g, 10g, 100mlMix KOH + Water firstCarbides, Cr, Mo, WC-Co alloys
NitalEthanol, HNO3100ml, 1–10mlSeconds to minutesCommon Fe, steel etchant
PicralEthanol, Picric acid100ml, 2–4gSeconds to minutesFerrite, carbide, bainite, etc.
Vilella’sPicric Acid, HCl, Ethanol1g, 5ml, 100mlSeconds to minutesFerrite-carbide in steels
Weck'sAmmonium bifluoride, HCl, Water4.5g, 10ml, 240mlSeconds to minutesTint etch for Ti alloys

Etchants by Material

Below is a summary of our most commonly used etchants, categorized by material type. All products are available in standard 250 ml bottles unless otherwise noted.

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Stainless Steels

DescriptionApplicationCatalog Number
Adlers300 Series Austenitic Stainless SteelADLERS
Carpenters300 Series Stainless SteelCARPENTERS
Kalling's No. 2Martensitic 400 Series Stainless SteelsKALLINGS No. 2
Fry's ReagentPrecipitation Hardened Stainless SteelsFRYS Reagent

Copper and Brass

DescriptionApplicationCatalog Number
ASTM No. 30CopperASTM No. 30
Copper No. 1Copper & Brass (Nitric Acid & DI Water)COPPER No. 1
Copper No. 2Copper & Brass (HCl & Ferric Chloride)COPPER No. 2
Klemm'sStain Etch for BrassKLEMMS

Steels

DescriptionApplicationCatalog Number
2–8% NitalGeneral Steels (Non-heat Treated or Welded)NITAL-2 to NITAL-8
PicralHeat Treated SteelsPICRAL
Vilella'sFerrite-Carbide StructuresVIELLA'S

Aluminum & Titanium

DescriptionApplicationCatalog Number
Keller'sAluminum AlloysKELLERS
Kroll'sTitanium AlloysKROLLS
Titanium Attack PolishCMP for TitaniumTI-AP-16

Nickel, Iron, Chromium Alloys

DescriptionApplicationCatalog Number
Marble'sNickel & Nickel-Iron AlloysMARBLES
Murakami'sChromium AlloysMURAKAMIS
Waterless Kalling'sIron-Base & Nickel-Base SuperalloysWATERLESS KALLINGS
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Etchant Database

For a more extensive listing of etchants and application-specific formulations, visit our interactive etchant database:

Metallographic etchant database