G’day It was suggested that a nitric acid-alcohol mix be used for
etching meteoric iron: “Etch with 10 percent nitric mixed with
alcohol, not water (you don’t want to encourage rust).”
I would like to insert a word of caution here; be very careful with
such a mixture, and do not heat it. A violent reaction can occur
between concentrated nitric acid and alcohol, and whatever you do,
avoid peering into the reaction vessel (!) I have seen several
laboratory ceilings ‘painted’ with this mixture. I am not warning
you against it’s use, but just be very careful.
Cheers for now,
JohnB of Mapua, Nelson NZ