How to remove copper from carbon steel substrate? 1

[CdotS]

What is the best solution (acid or otherwise) to remove copper deposits a mild steel without affecting the substrate underneath?

 

[bilge]

An interesting problem because it is generally recognized that copper is much more corrosion resistant than iron.

One possibility might be to use a nitric acid solution sufficiently strong to passivate the iron but attack the copper.

Other possibilities:
hydrocyanic acid (ugh!)
hot isopropyl acid
metallic mercury (probably your best bet).

 

[rustbuster1]

Copper is soluble in ammonia solutions and carbon steel is not. I would expect a 10- 15 % solution of ammonium hydroxide in water at about 70C to give reasonbly good copper removal efficiency. Let us know what you decide.

 

[sciguyjim]

Ferric chloride is used to etch copper from circuit boards but I have no idea how it will affect the steel.

 

[tblaser]

Ferric Chloride is nasty stuff. It will attack most metals including Cu and Fe at a large range of concentrations.

Tim

 

[vj436]

(Vijay Cor Eng)

Etch blast the surface with fine garnet you can remove the copper as well as polish the surface.