- #1
MSparks6
- 5
- 0
Looking to polish some pure elemental iridium... I think hot hydrochloric acid might work but have yet to try it. Anyone know for sure how to do this?
Can I Achieve a Mirror Finish on Pure Iridium? Share Your Tips!
- Thread starter MSparks6
- Start date
Click For Summary
Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around methods for achieving a mirror finish on pure iridium, focusing on practical techniques and materials accessible to hobbyists. Participants share their experiences and suggestions regarding polishing methods, tools, and materials.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
- Homework-related
Main Points Raised
- One participant suggests using hot hydrochloric acid as a potential method for polishing iridium but has not yet tested it.
- Another participant provides a reference link to an article but notes that the original poster is not a chemist and seeks simpler methods.
- A participant mentions that Silicon Carbide is hard enough to grind iridium and suggests using Silicon Carbide sandpaper available at hardware stores.
- One suggestion involves using rock tumblers, particularly vibratory types, for polishing, with a note on their common use in polishing brass cartridges.
- A participant shares a photo of polished iridium and speculates that a flat lapping machine may have been used in the process.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express various methods and materials for polishing iridium, but no consensus is reached on a specific technique or process. Multiple competing views and suggestions remain in the discussion.
Contextual Notes
Some participants express limitations in their knowledge or resources, indicating a reliance on accessible methods rather than professional techniques. The discussion includes assumptions about the availability of materials and tools.
Who May Find This Useful
This discussion may be useful for hobbyists interested in metalworking, particularly those looking to polish iridium or similar materials without access to professional equipment.
- #2
jedishrfu
Mentor
- 15,681
- 10,474
You can find this easily via Google search. Here's one such reference:
http://jes.ecsdl.org/content/148/10/G552.abstract
http://jes.ecsdl.org/content/148/10/G552.abstract
- #3
MSparks6
- 5
- 0
I've scoured the internet for this information, and I've read the article you provided. I guess I should've added that I'm not a chemist nor do I have a lab. Just a hobbyist. I'm looking for a method that is fairy simple and can be done with items available to the average person.
- #4
Tom.G
Science Advisor
Gold Member
- 5,661
- 4,507
Silicon Carbide is hard enough to grind Iridium. On the Mohs hardness scale Talc is 1, Diamond is 10, Iridium is 6.5, Silicon Carbide is 9
Hardware stores often sell sheets of Silicon Carbide "sand paper" in grits between 100 and 600 or finer. Bulk grit down to insanely fine stuff can be found from suppliers for amateur telescope making. Try a Google search for Mirror Grinding Supplies
Hardware stores often sell sheets of Silicon Carbide "sand paper" in grits between 100 and 600 or finer. Bulk grit down to insanely fine stuff can be found from suppliers for amateur telescope making. Try a Google search for Mirror Grinding Supplies
Last edited:
- #5
diogenesNY
- 230
- 259
I do not know what the shape and size of your material is, however, you might like to , generally, look into the subject of rock tumblers.
Rock tumblers (particularly the vibratory types that don't technically 'tumble' the material) can be used for many purposes, depending on how and with what they are filled. One such application is polishing brass pistol and rifle cartridges. These are popular with people who reload their own ammunition. There is a ton of info on the net on this topic... (I have been away from it for a bit, so my references likely lead to a bunch of dead ends) .. just fire up your favorite search engine and search for _rock tumbler_ and maybe add things like metal polishing, abrasives, polishing agents, etc as additional search terms.
Also, there are some fairly pricey hobbyist and semi-pro rock tumblers for sale on the net, but I recall that Harbor Freight has several models and sizes that are very reasonably priced and are 'rough and ready' but you will have to supply your own abrasives/materials/shot/polishes. Check it out.
Good luck,
diogenesNY
Rock tumblers (particularly the vibratory types that don't technically 'tumble' the material) can be used for many purposes, depending on how and with what they are filled. One such application is polishing brass pistol and rifle cartridges. These are popular with people who reload their own ammunition. There is a ton of info on the net on this topic... (I have been away from it for a bit, so my references likely lead to a bunch of dead ends) .. just fire up your favorite search engine and search for _rock tumbler_ and maybe add things like metal polishing, abrasives, polishing agents, etc as additional search terms.
Also, there are some fairly pricey hobbyist and semi-pro rock tumblers for sale on the net, but I recall that Harbor Freight has several models and sizes that are very reasonably priced and are 'rough and ready' but you will have to supply your own abrasives/materials/shot/polishes. Check it out.
Good luck,
diogenesNY
- #6
Similar threads
- · Replies 6 ·
- · Replies 3 ·
- · Replies 14 ·
- · Replies 2 ·
- · Replies 19 ·
- · Replies 2 ·
- · Replies 8 ·
- · Replies 6 ·
Undergrad
Fabry-Perot Interferometer mirrors
- · Replies 7 ·