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Steels - Chemical polishing

Material Name: Steels
Recipe No.: 9834
Primary Chemical Element in Material: Fe
Sample Type: Bulk
Uses: Polishing
Etchant Name: None
Type (Macro/Micro): Micro
Etching Method: Chemical polishing
Etchant (Electrolyte) Composition: Solution a: 3 parts H2O2 (30%), 10 parts distilled water, 1 part HF. Solution b: 1 part H3PO4, 15 parts distilled water.
Procedure (Condition): Steels >0.3% C: Grind to 150 grit, immerse in solution a for 15-25 s, wash with water, clean with solution b with cottom, wash in water, dry. Steels 0.15-0.30% C: Grind to 320 grit, immerse in solution a for 12-18 s, then same procedure as for steels with 0.3% C. Steels <0.5% C: Grind to 600 grit, immerse in solution a for 3-5 s, then same procedure as for steels >0.3% C. Extra soft sheet steels: Grind to 200 grit, immerse in solution a for 3-5 mechanical polish with chromium oxide, then with alumina.
Note: de Magalhaes and coworkers
Reference: Vander Voort, Metallography Principles and Practice, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1984, p. 557.