Ferric Nitrate Disposal

[Scotswummin288]

I want to try etching at home, but I wondered how folk get rid of their used ferric nitrate. Is there some way it can be neutralised before disposal?

[Dennis]

Exhausted ferric nitrate is a nasty cocktail and very caustic. Check the provisions of your local council online for collecting hazardous solutions. Dennis.

[Scotswummin288]

Thanks Dennis. Are there any other solutions I could use for this job which are maybe a bit less hazardous?

[Dennis]

No, unfortunately not for silver. It is considered more benign than nitric acid, which anyhow you can no longer buy as a private person.

For base metals there is salt water etching using salt solution and a battery. https://www.google.com/search?q=salt+water+etching+of+copper&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b Dennis.

[Dai]

There is a discussion here about disposal, may be of some help. I cant post full link yet (not enough posts)
orchid.ganoksin.com/t/ferric-chloride-and-ferric-nitrate/16813/4