[Boatanchors] Crystal Etching Using Whink- Need Chemical Person

[Dale Parfitt]

I read recently in ER that  the acid etching (as opposed to grinding) rounds the sharp edges and may reduce crystal activity.
No personal experience- I have always ground them.
Dale W4OP

-----Original Message-----
From: boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:boatanchors-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bill Abate via Boatanchors
Sent: Monday, January 4, 2021 11:13 AM
To: David Stinson; Boatanchors at mailman
Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Crystal Etching Using Whink- Need Chemical Person

Dave,


There is one way to find the answer to your question and that is to try 
the suggestion but I believe you are wasting your time. Whink is 
composed of hydrofluoric acid and should not be susceptible to 
oxidation.  In my opinion it is more likely that the Whink is just 
loosing its strength due to use.  I've used hydrofluoric acid to etch 
crystals in the past but in a more concentrated form and never had a 
problem with it slowing down the process.  The only thing I found was 
that the edges of the crystal got rounded and the crystal lost its 
activity.  Grinding with an abrasive on the edges cured that.


GL,


Bill, K3PGB

On 1/4/2021 10:27 AM, David Stinson wrote:
> I've etched crystals with Whink for some time.
> Recently, I used a plastic tub about 3 inches
> in diameter, poured 1/4 inch of Whink in it
> to etch a crystal.   The first hour, it moved a
> 4110 KC crystal 3 KC.  After that hour, it slows
> waaaay down.   With fresh Whink, I etched a
> 3498 crystal over night, wanting to move it
> up into the Extra CW band.
> This morning, after 8 hours, it has moved to 3500 KC.
>
> A friend suggested that the open-top,
> wide tub is exposing the Whink to the air,
> which oxidizes and loses strength the longer
> it's exposed.  He suggested I use a plastic
> "pill bottle," which will take less Whink,
> and seal it from the air.  I'd build a "stand"
> to hold the pill bottle stable, since a small
> bottle would be subject to spilling and you
> don't want to fool around- the stuff can hurt ya.
>
> What do you think?  Is air exposure
> the culprit in the rapid weakening of Whink?
>
> 73 DE Dave AB5S
>
>
>
>
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