Tin Alloy Etchants

The most common etchants for tin alloys contain either ammonium hydroxide, nitric acid or ferric
chloride, however, there are numerous more specific etchants. A good resouce for additional
etchants can be found with the etchant database provided by PACE
Technologies, http://www.metallographic.com/Consumables/Etch.htm
Sample Preparation: Tin alloys must be properly prepared to reveal the true metallographic
microstructure. A number of recommended procedures can be found at the following links:
http://www.metallographic.com/Procedures/Lead-tin-zinc%20Description.htm
http://www.metallographic.com/Brochures/Met-Manual-2b.pdf
CAUTION: Safety is very important when etching. Be sure to wear the appropriate protective clothing

and observe all WARNINGS on chemical manufacturers MSDS. Also review COMMENTS Section for
each etchant.

Etchant

Conc.

Conditions

Comments

Ethanol or methanol
or Distilled water
Hydrochloric acid

100 ml
2-5 ml

Several minutes

Pure tin, tin-lead alloys,

tin-antimony-copper alloys

Ethanol
Nitric acid

100 ml
1-10 ml

Seconds to
minutes

Do not exceed 10% nitric

acid -explosive

Distilled water or
methanol
Hydrochloric acid
Ferric chloride

100 ml
5-25 ml
10 grams

Seconds to
minutes

Tin-copper alloys

Nital

Tin-copper alloy, etched with 2% Nital, Mag. 100X

(DIC)