Berzelius etchant - For dissolving the Fe matrix in the steel samples

Berzelius etchant - For dissolving the Fe matrix in the steel samples

Material Name: Steels
Recipe No.: 9473
Primary Chemical Element in Material: Fe
Sample Type: Bulk
Uses: General microstructure
Etchant Name: Berzelius etchant
Type (Macro/Micro): Micro
Etching Method: Chemical
Etchant (Electrolyte) Composition: a.) 1.85 liters H20, 320 g cupric chloride, 280 g potassium chloride, 1.5 ml hydrochloric acid, 20 g of tartoric acid or 2.) 160g CuCl2, 140g KCl, 10g tartaric acid, 925mL distiled water and 75mL HCl
Procedure (Condition): The sample was placed on a vibrating table to enhance dissolution. Solution filtration was then used to filter carbides from the solution. The filter paper was washed (100 ml of 0.25 N HCL and 50 ml H20), then dried at 120°C before final weighing. Carbide size and structure were determined by standard scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction techniques. Etching time: 12 hours.
Note: For dissolving the Fe matrix in the steel samples. XRD sample preparation. Chemical extraction carbides from steel.
Reference: K. E. Burke: Metallography, 8 (1975), 473.