Salt water and copper etching is not so green. My wife makes jewelry and I thought saltwater etching of copper was a green method. Before setting this up for teaching in her studio I wanted to know what those gases are and why the salt water electrolyte can't be continuously reused, and why it changed color, got gooey, and had to be disposed of. I learned that salt water etching of copper is very problematic. Using salt water as an electrolyte generates competing side reactions in which the salt (NaCl) is electrolyzed into chlorine gas at the anode and hydrogen gas at the cathode, and sodium hydroxide is created in the electrolyte. Chlorine is a toxic gas and it depletes ozone. Sodium hydroxide is one of the transition metal hydroxides, and these are very insoluble. The sodium hydroxide combines with any metal ions generated in the electrolyte solution, and the resultant precipitates as a gelatinous goo in the salt water electrolyte. For this reason, you cannot continuously reuse the salt water electrolyte because it has been altered and contaminated chemically. There is a greener way as counter intuitive as it seems..... The greener and more efficient electrolyte for etching any given metal is an electrolyte consisting of the same metal ions as the metal to be etched. So, to etch copper, for example, use copper sulfate. The metal piece to be etched is the anode, and a scrap of copper is used as the cathode. During etching copper is removed from the anode, flows through the electrolyte and is deposited on the cathode. The very important difference is that the electrolyte acts as a transfer medium for copper ions, but the electrolyte itself is not altered, is not contaminated and does not break down. This means the electrolyte does not need to be disposed of, and can be reused indefinitely. So you can simply return it to its storage container. There are no side reactions as long as you do not use too much electrical current. Etching alloys of copper, brass or bronze, can be more difficult. With brass use zinc sulfate, because with copper sulfate the copper etches out of the brass surface while tiny particles of zinc fall into the solution, and these fine zinc particles will reduce the copper ions in solution, resulting in zinc sulfate and copper precipitated out.
Hi Paul, Thanks for posting such an interesting comment. I'm sure that many of our viewers will find your remarks beneficial to their work. If you've made a video on this topic the OJA would be happy to provide its viewers with a link to it. Thanks for your support! : )
Thank you so much for making this. Clear instructions, good camera work, accessible tools and ingredients. I've been researching this process and you honestly have the most approachable tutorial I've found on YT. Also, it's been years since you posted this and you still take the time to respond to questions. You're the best.
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy I am glad i came across your video! Could you please tell me - in the last example you used email and after that you removed all of it.Can you tell me what sort of email it was- full name and the solution you put your sample in?Full name when possible. Also what battery it is, never saw anything like it in Europe,and Germany in particular can you tell me Full Name for this. Huge thanks and my respect for your knowledge and comprehensive explaining!💓🤗
@@jolantastanko1233 I used enamel paint for toy models. And I used turpentine to remove it. The shape of the battery isn’t important. You need one with the correct voltage. I recommend that you continue your research and investigate battery options available where you live that can be used for this process. You may want to look for information produced in your home country. Good luck with your creative pursuits. 😀
Wow, fabulous tutorials! I agree with the other comments - very detailed and concise approach to teaching. Really appreciate the information and the care you take with the presentation. Thank you! :)
Thanks Joanie. I really do appreciate the kind feedback. Like I always say, I strive to be the sort of teacher that I wish I had had in school. Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for your support! : )
Hi, Thank you for the videos. I am assuming any metal includes Aluminum? I wonder if you can use a Sharpie pen as a resist as you can with acids for a more detailed design? I know you said that it ate away the resist pen that you used. Thanks!
Roxanne Van Paing Hi Roxanne, Yes, this process will work with any metal. As far as using Sharpie pen as a resist is concerned, my best suggestion is to try it and see if it works for you. I personally don't think that it stays on the surface long enough to be effective. My preference is to use an enamel based paint. There are many different types of resist materials that you might want to experiment with until you find the one that provides you with the best results. Good luck with your projects. And, thanks for watching! : )
Hi Lulu Labelle, Electrical etching is great. But, I have found that it works best on copper. You might want to do some more research online about etching aluminum before you try it. I have not performed this process on aluminum. Therefore, I cannot say how well it might work. Good luck with your creative pursuits. Thanks for your support! : )
I pass the spent solution through coffee filter paper thereby collecting the salt water and leaving most other materials behind, this way I reuse it several times.
this is so awesome. I've done something similar with a vinegar and salt solution and a Black & Decker 6v/12v battery charger. Do you think the charger would work on this, instead of using batteries? I'm excited to try this process!
Clever Kim Let me give you an update to my last answer. Although the voltage is correct, the amperage might be a little high using that kind of charger. It might work just fine, but I have never tried that, so I recommend caution. I have used the transformers that we have shown in the video "Salt Water Etching - Questions and Answers" and they have worked great for us. If you choose to try the charger, let me know what your results are.
***** Hmmm. I don't know if you followed the directions exactly. But, here are a few things that I believe may be the problem. You might not have used a fresh battery. Or, you might not have dissolved enough salt into your solution. Finally, you may have had such a large surface area to etch that an hour just wasn't enough time for the magic to work. I suggest that you try again and leave the piece in a little longer. You can always pull it up to look at the progress that is being made. And, the water will turn into something that looks like tomato soup. So, you're definitely on the right track. Good luck! And, thanks for watching! : )
Hi, I am VeeVee, 1)Can I use battery of 9V to etch name plates of 10"x4" say 20 of them made of Steel in one go.? 2) Can I use battery of 9V to etch name plates of 10"x4" say 20 of them made of BRASS in one go.? 3)How much salt and water will be required to make solution
Hi Vashdev, Here are the answers to your questions. 1) No 2) No 3) You need to "saturate" the water with salt. So, mix salt with hot water until no more will dissolve. By the way, salt water etching is intended for small jewelry operations where the use of acid is out of the question. It sounds to me from your questions that you may want to investigate professional etching services in your area. Good luck! Thanks for your support! : )
I enjoyed your video. You explain the process very well. I will try this technique in the future, probably while viewing the video again. Thanks for sharing!
Judy Blakely Thank you for the nice feedback. I'm glad that you enjoyed the video. By the way, there is another video on the OJA channel that goes into further detail about this process. You might want to check that video out as well. Thanks for watching! : )
Hello John, i would love to read your instructions about this electrical etching with salt. Is it possible that you write it down? Sorry, I'm from germany and don't understand so much in speaking in english. Thank you very very much!!
kaba trink We are currently working on a website that will include printable instructions. Unfortunately, at this writing, the website is not completed. I'm sure if you google this process, you'll be able to find instructions written in your language. Thanks for watching! : )
what gauge metal did you start with for your discs! i am really enjoying your videos.....very simple and highly informative for beginners and great refreshers for intermediates who may have forgotten! thank you John!
It's really helpful, I am recently doing my thesis work, but it mainly focused on electroforming, but this electroetching process is really the opposite if electroforming which really inspired me that I can do different directions. Thank you so much!
I'm guessing this works well on silver too.... Interesting, a somewhat similar method, sans salt, is used to make colloidal silver. Personally I'm happy to learn there is a method to do etching w/o using caustic acids...
This method doesn't work all that well on silver unfortunately. We've investigated it thoroughly and can't get it to really etch very deep into silver. Just thought I'd let you know. Thanks for your support! : )
Hi Kate, Yes! the more salt the better. So try to dissolve as much as you can into solution. Heating the water helps with this. But, you don't have to boil the water. Thanks for watching! Be sure to subscribe to the channel if you haven't already. : )
So cool. I can't wait to try this. One question though and it might be a no brainer. Do you sand the edges of the cut metal before you begin the process?
TapestryGal Designs You can sand and finish the edges of your piece after you complete the etching process. Just be sure to protect the edges of your piece with a resist so that they don't get etched. Thanks for watching! : )
+Amelia Turbyfill Hi Amelia, There are several videos included in the OJA playlist that cover various aspects of soldering. You can find them here on the OJA's RU-vid channel. Or, you can find the entire playlist organized in to categories at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com Here is a link to the video on how to make the ventilation system that I use in the videos: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-lsdUeQ2ckS4.html Thanks for watching! : )
+Seaglass Barbara Hi Barbara, I'm so sorry that I lost your question in the shuffle. This video has gotten sooooo many comments. Some people say hot water will dissolve more salt. Others say that cold water works best. I think hot water works best. Thanks for watching! : )
I'm not sure that I understand your question. I think that you are wondering what materials to use as a resist. Things like plastic contact paper and enamel based paint block the etching process in the salt water bath. The OJA also has a video on how to use PNP Blue resist paper. I recommend that you watch all of the OJA's salt water etching videos on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com Thanks for your support! : )
Linda Fountain Hi Linda, You asked such a good question. I wish I had thought to address this in the video. The simple answer is yes. Copper for copper, brass for brass, etc... If you liked this video, you'll probably enjoy our follow-up video that addresses other issues. Thanks for watching! : )
Thanks for the compliment. I used to always tell students that I try to be the kind of teacher that I needed when I first started designing and making jewelry. Glad the video added fuel to your creative fire 🔥 😀
I'm not sure that I understand your question. If you are asking how much salt to use, you saturate the water with salt. Here's a helpful link: sciencing.com/prepare-supersaturated-salt-water-solutions-8559439.html 😀
I'm glad you enjoyed the video and had success with the process. We've thought about doing an electroforming video. But, we got sooooo many questions about the salt water etching videos we decided to hold off. Maybe when we have a good script that answers every possible question we'll make one. In the meantime, I'm sure you can find the information that you need from another qualified source. Thanks for your support! : )
Because working with electricity can be risky, the OJA has purposely avoided posting on that topic. There are numerous post about this on other sites. Good luck with your creative pursuits. 😀
Thanks for the compliment Tree. Yes, this technique can be used with nickel. It can be used with most any metal. Be sure to watch all three of our salt water etching videos. You can find them grouped together on the OJA website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com Thanks for your support! : )
Hi Dominic, No, it doesn't work that way. You'll see when you set your etching system up at home. The negative side of the system bubbles so strongly that it would push off any resist that you applied to the metal. Thanks for your support! : )
Hi, and thanks for the making of video for etching procedure mostly for me, I want a little help i want to Etching on Name plate of Steel in large size, is this procedure work for my requirement ?
tahir naz The short answer is yes. But, etching on steel requires a slightly different approach. I suggest that you investigate other videos on RU-vid that deal with using salt water etching to etch steel and knives. Good luck with your project. And, thanks for watching! : )
Any part of the surface of your piece that is not protected by a resist will be attacked by the etching process. So, you must protect the back side of an object that you plan on etching. 😀
Hi Jhon, thanks for the valuable tips and exclente your site I looked for a machine to make such a border did not find, thank you for clarifying on these edges but could tell me a web site where I find this machine because sincerenly I have not seen anywhere. Or more or less explain the technique, thanks
The machine that made that boarder is a large industrial piece of equipment. You won't find one for sale from a jewelry supply company. The closest thing that you might find that would bend a thick edge like that would be an old crank tool used to roll the edge of buckets. Good luck with your search. Thanks for your support! : )
Good evening John I think even for you it would be challenging to try to make this border but I discovered how it is done and I appreciate the joyous idea of the old machine the crank but it is made like a print in a hydraulic press.
Thanks so much for the great demo. how about etching Sterling silver with Ferric Nitrate ?. do you think the end result is as Good as using the Salt technique ? Thank you
Glad you enjoyed the video. The salt water etching process doesn't work as well on silver as traditional chemical etching processes do in my opinion. But, It works really well on copper and some other metals. If done properly (and safely), it can produce some very satisfying result. Good luck with your etching project. Thanks for your support! : )
Hello John, I searched a lot on the internet for two things and I did not think how to color these pieces of copper, I saw a lot of paint on alcohol but here in Brazil it is limited and patina I found but I did not get a good result and the other question is how to make a border On a bracelet like this site: Http://www.comprazen.com.br/5780/bride-metal-dourado-oval-turquesa-7cm-india
Hello. Here's a link to an OJA video on patination of copper: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2X16hNlc_5I.html You'll find other similar videos on the OJA's website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com The videos are organized on the website by category. So, you should be able to find lots of great ideas on the OJA's website that don't rely on hard to find supplies. The boarder on that bracelet is machine made. It's possible to make something that looks similar by hand. But, it's an advanced process that I cannot explain in the comments. Good luck with your projects. Thanks for your support! : )
You might try adding the border with split round wire like I get from Rio Grande. The problem would be attaching it if you don’t solder. A butane torch doesn’t do a good job, in my experience, on copper. One could try and use a product like JB Weld, but you MUST to make sure no product showed on the outside; once its set, there’s no removing it. That’s just my creative mind saying “what about this idea” as I have no experience doing what I suggested. I would solder the split border into the cuff. Also you might try putting resist around the outside so the border area wasn’t removed????
Hi John, I tried this process and can't get a deep etch at all. Barely etches. I have an adjustable transformer I got from radio Shack and I'm trying to etch copper. I've left it in for hours and still nothing. I have the transformer up to 12 but I started at 9 but then went up to 12 when the 9 didnt work. I've tried a small piece of metal and a large piece. Still just barely etches. I've put so much kosher salt in that it doesn't dissolve anymore. What could be wrong? I've heard some people say to use distilled water. I used tap water as you suggested. One thing I didn't do is steel wool the piece first but I don't think I saw you do that either. Any suggestions?
Susan DeBay I believe that you have the connections from your transformer reversed. When an etching project is properly connected, you should see lots of little bubbles coming from the copper piece that you are NOT trying to etch. We have a secondary video on this process posted to our channel. Or, you can find that video on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com. I hope I helped fix your problem. Thanks for watching! : )
Susan, have you made sure that your transformer is set at at least 1 Amp? The current would make more of a difference than the voltage. Don't go too high though.
I am wondering. You said transformer. A transformer outputs an AC current, in other words remove metal then deposit some back etc.. If a rectifier is used on the output it would make it DC. The etching needs a DC supply.
I was about to try this and after having a clean up the copper wire is missing.drat had to send for more online and have to wait for it. I have other wire around brass and binding wire typical.
+Glenn Campbell Hi Glenn, Etching through a piece can be problematic. The resist on the surface won't control how the material is etched internally as a hole is produced. That's why we apply resist to the edges of a piece. Thanks for your support! 😀
You can use distilled water if you like. But, it's an unnecessary extra expense. The most important part of creating your salt water etching solution is the salt. If it isn't pure the impurities might impede the process. Thanks for your support! : )
I'm sorry, but I don't understand your question. The best resists to use are PNP Blue Paper, enamel paint, and permanent marker. You can also use contact paper as shown in the video. The OJA has two more videos on salt water etching that you should watch. They might answer your question in depth. You'll find them on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com Thanks for your support! : )
It worked in sterling silver using 9volts battery but you have to leave it overnight. I tried using the 9v adapter but I was not comfortable leaving it for the whole night; I did it for 2 hours but the etching was not deep enough..
Hi John, guess I misplaced my question before. I successfully etched copper using your method. Not very deep though, but did not wait long because this was just a test. Actually I want to etch silver, and this was disappointing. Achieved some blotchy areas in shades of grey. Reminded me more of the result of blackening silver using saltwater and a 6V-battery. For the cathode I first tried copper, then silver. That is not very clear, as before you answered 'copper for copper, brass for brass'. Any idea what may have gone wrong? Thanks in advance.
Sylvia Hartmann Sorry to hear that your silver project didn't turn out as you expected it would. There are other methods for etching silver. But, they involve etching mordants that can be dangerous to work with. The OJA strives to provide information about processes, tools and materials that are safe to work with and sustainable. I'm certain that a search on Google will point you in the direction of other techniques that will help you to better achieve your creative goals. Thanks for the feedback. And, thanks for watching! : )
OnlineJewelryAcademy What a pity. I had hoped you would answer that it was my fault because... From the video I got the impression it should work for silver too. I don't want any dangerous mordants in my home, and anyway there are severe restrictions on who may buy those.
OnlineJewelryAcademy Hi! I did watch it, of course. And since my setup works with copper... Please do make a statement on what should be used as scrap metal when etching silver. As I mentioned earlier, that is not clear. At least for me. Thanks
Sylvia Hartmann If you're etching silver, my best advice is to use a piece of silver as the scrap piece of metal. I hope that this clears things up for you. Thanks for watching! : )
Glad that you enjoyed the video. You might want to check out the other salt water etching videos on the OJA playlist. You can find the complete playlist organized by category on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com Thanks for your support! : )
Sure, you can save the salt water solution and reuse it. Eventually it will stop working fast and will need to be replaced. But, it is possible to get a few etching from one salt water bath. Thanks for your support! : )
Thanks for answering so quickly! -- I'm assuming if I'm etching small pieces, the size of the container can be smaller than what you're using in this video as long as there is enough water to cover your piece? I'm thinking something like a 1.5 cup glass measuring cup. Thanks in advance!
Yes, you can use a small amount of fluid. But, the smaller the volume of liquid the faster that it will become saturated with impurities. Good luck! Thanks for your support ! : )
+Little Cherry Hill - Metalsmith If you allow the salt water solution to settle, you can pour off the clear solution and reuse it. Exactly how many times you can reuse it is determined by how salty it is and how often you use it. Sorry I can't give a more exact answer. But, if you notice that your etching is taking longer, it's probably time to change the solution. I would recommend that you also check out our follow up video on salt water etching ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-rs-67MiFiAU.html Good luck with your projects. And, thanks for watching! : )
+OnlineJewelryAcademy I gave the salt water etching a go with a 6V battery and it gave me a fantastic etch in my copper after about 55 minutes. I also tried again straight after the first etch to do 2 more etches and they worked out just as good. Before I got your reply about pouring off the clear solution, I had stirred up the used batch the next day and used it again and got a great result! So glad I came across this way to etch as I had previously been using Ferric Chloride and wasn't really happy with it. This method seems to give a much cleaner etch in the etched away parts of the metal. Thanks for sharing this great tutorial :)
+Little Cherry Hill - Metalsmith I'm so glad that you have had success with this technique. Personally, I can't stand working with Ferric Chloride. Good luck with your future projects. And thanks for being a loyal viewer! : )
Thank goodness for google translate... La soluzione è semplicemente acqua salata. Risulta arancione come processo rimuove rame durante il processo di attacco.
+tubertwee Your ability to reuse the solution will depend on how often you clean it, use it, and how big the pieces are that you create in it. Be sure to watch the follow up video that we made on our website: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com It's included in the Sale Water Etching section on the video playlist page. Thanks for watching! : )
+Jami Conroy Thank you Jami. Be sure to check out the other videos that the OJA has on etching. You'll find the complete OJA playlist on our website at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com Thanks for watching! : )
Il processo funziona con la maggior parte dei metalli. Non funziona bene con l'argento. Lasciare i pezzi in fino ad ottenere la profondità di incisione che si desidera. Pulire con acqua. Se avete domande future, si prega di tradurre in inglese prima di inviarle. Sto avendo usare Google translate per comunicare con voi. Buona fortuna con voi progetti. Grazie per il tuo sostegno.
Thanks for the compliment Jorge. Please be sure to check out the OJA's other videos on Salt Water Etching techniques. You can find the complete OJA playlist organized by category at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com Thanks for your support! : )
+Ro Ostuni Generally I like to start with 18 or 20 gauge sheet. It depends if there is a weight issue, scale of the piece and if I'm going to enamel it. Check out our other etching videos at www.onlinejewelryacademy.com Thanks for watching! : )
***** Thanks for the compliment. Be sure to check out the secondary salt water etching video that we recently posted. It provides you with more details on the process. Thanks for watching! :)
Manju M Yes, this process will eat up batteries quickly. You might think about speaking with a representative at your local electronics store about a 9V transformer. They could show you how to modify it safely so that you can use it instead of batteries. Be safe and have fun. Thanks for watching! : )
There are other electrolytic solutions besides salt water that can be used to etch with electricity. I've not experimented with vinegar to be able to tell if provides any advantages. Thanks for your support! : )
Please be sure to visit the OJA's website and view all of the videos on electrical etching. You'll find them conveniently grouped on the site at: www.onlinejewelryacademy.com There is a follow up to the video that you watched that will answer some of the questions you might have. Thanks for your support! : )
+Sonja Lang Hi Sonja, Yes, the metal that goes into the solution can be recovered. But, I would leave that job for a professional metals refiner. The process can be both dirty and dangerous. Thanks for your support! : )
@@OnlineJewelryAcademy thank you a lot for your second reply. I really liked what you did with the metall. Cant wait to test that Method out! Find your videos and topics of them handy and exiting! 🤗😎👍
This process will work on silver. But, it doesn't work really well on silver. It seems to work best on copper. Good luck with your creative projects. Thanks for your support! : )
I have never experimented with gold using this process. I cannot tell you if you could expect good results or not. You might want to search online to see if someone has posted anything about using salt water etching techniques on gold. 😀
