[Rockhounds] attacking quartz without hydrofluoric acid

[Kreigh Tomaszewski]

Bryan,

My bad. I should have clearly noted this was a "Don't try this at home"
suggestion. 

The semiconductor industry has much information on dissolving and
depositing silica since it is the basis of the computers we use to
communicate. They have found some interesting ways of handling silica.

Thanks for the safety reminder.

Kreigh





J Bryan Kramer wrote:
> 
> Hmmm... I think I'd rather work with HF than hot pressurized sodium
> hydroxide solution. Acids require caution, but concentrated bases are much
> more dangerous since YOU are soluble in them, especially your eyes. YMMV
> 
> BK
> 
> On Dec 25, 2007 9:28 PM, Kreigh Tomaszewski <Kreigh at tomaszewski.net> wrote:
> 
> > It is my understanding that quartz is usually precipitated by alkaline
> > solutions. Adding heat and pressure may dissolve existing quartz without
> > the use of Fluorine.
> >
> > Kreigh
> >
> >
> > Erich Kern wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > BTW, if you wet your hand with fresh water before putting it in an acid
> > solution, it helps a great deal to minimise skin irritation.
> > >
> > > Erich Kern
> > > Murrieta, Calif.
> >
> 
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