FAQ
Why is shipping to other countries not possible?
According to European transport regulations, Titan-etch is classified 'dangerous goods' during transport. According to the Agreement concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), Titan-etch must be transported according to ADR-LQ (dangerous goods in limited quantities) regulations. Titan-etch can be shipped by road, train and sometimes boat. For air transport another set of regulations apply.This means there are restrictions as to which countries the product can be shipped to.
There is an option for obtaining Titan-etch if you live in another part of the world, however it can be complicated. I do not have the proper licence to ship Titan-etch outside of the listed countries, but there could be parcel delivery services and courier services in your country that can arrange transport of dangerous goods from the Netherlands to your country. If you are willing to arrange the transport and shipment yourself, there might be options. But be aware: prices may be high and paperwork may be complicated.
Why are the shipping costs of Titan-Etch higher then normal?
Titan-Etch is shipped from the Netherlands. The farther away the parcel has to be shipped, the more expensive the shipping costs are. Furthermore, Titan-Etch is classified under ADR-LQ. Therefore certain packaging and shipping regulations apply, and shipping options are limited for Titan-Etch. Besides that, Titan-Etch is a very small business. Because we only send out a small number of parcels each month, we do not get good shipping prices from the parcel delivery services and we also don't buy packaging material in bulk. Cheaper shipping options are unfortunately not available.
How to dispose of used Titan-etch?
Titan-etch should be disposed according to local regulations. In most countries this means Titan-Etch can be disposed of in the same way you dispose of batteries and common household chemicals (small chemical waste/small hazardous waste). When disposing of Titan-Etch, write down the two main ingredients (Diammonium peroxodisulfate & Sodium fluoride) on the container. This way the disposal facility knows how to handle the product.
How long can Titan-Etch be stored?
While this depends on the storing conditions and methods, in liquid form it can be stored for at least 1 year before it starts losing effectiveness. In dry/solid form it can be stored for at least 2 years. After this period Titan-Etch might lose some of it's effectiveness. When storing in solid/dry form, remember that Titan-Etch is hygroscopic, and the dry powder may form clots.
What is the Recommended electrolyte for anodising?
TSP (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trisodium_phosphate) is my favorite electrolyte. It works very well and is relatively safe to work with. About 5g/Liter is a good concentration for TSP.
Sulfuric Acid (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfuric_acid) is the preferred electrolyte for industrial scale anodizing. Great results, and keeps your anodize bath clean. It's however not safe to work with.
Sodium bicarbonate (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_bicarbonate), also known as common baking soda, is the safest and easiest to get electrolyte. I have had good results with sodium bicarbonate as well.
Can I use splash anodising with Titan-etch?
Nail polish has been reported to work with Titan-etch for splash anodising. I have however no personal experience with splash anodising, and I am unsure what the effects of nail polish are on the etching bath.
Can I reveal the microstructure of titanium with Titan-Etch?
Yes, but you will need to make a much stronger solution and etch for a considerable longer time.
What metals can be used for Cathode & Anode when anodising titanium?
For Cathode (-) any non-rusting/reacting piece of sheet or mesh will do. Titanium and Lead are good choices for example.
For Anode (+) I would advise Titanium (wire), because this generally works the best.
