[Rockhounds] attacking quartz without hydrofluoric acid

[J Bryan Kramer]

I must confess to be a bit paranoid about strong bases, I had a third degree
burn from cold concentrated sodium hydroxide years ago. I did not enjoy the
experience...heh. Acids usually give you a warning, that old burning
sensation, but bases do their damage without warning. Also a bit of water
rinses the acid right off, not so with the bases.

BK

On Dec 25, 2007 10:48 PM, Kreigh Tomaszewski <Kreigh at tomaszewski.net> wrote:

> 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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-- 
J Bryan Kramer
North Florida, USA
photos at:
http://pbase.com/photoburner


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