Glass Etching/Damage
Glass Etching/Damage
(OP)
I am investigating an etching issue on some window glass in a building. I'm fairly sure that the etchant is hydrofluoric acid because of the rapid attack on the glass surface. Phosphoric acid would not have produced the same "signature" of damage and I don't know of any caustic material that will etch glass in this manner.
The damaged glass is on the exterior face of non-operable windows that were installed in a building under construction. I suspect that one of the subs has used some material in their process that contains HF acid. Thus far a review of the MSDS sheets has not revealed any such material, but we also do not have MSDS's for all materials.
My question: Do any of you know of a tinning flux, soldering flux, cleaning, or patina agent for copper or galvanized steel that contains HF? I have found a few things related when I Googled several search terms, but was wondering if anyone here knows of a specific material related to the soldering, cleaning, or preparation of copper or galvanizing material that would contain HF.
The damaged glass is on the exterior face of non-operable windows that were installed in a building under construction. I suspect that one of the subs has used some material in their process that contains HF acid. Thus far a review of the MSDS sheets has not revealed any such material, but we also do not have MSDS's for all materials.
My question: Do any of you know of a tinning flux, soldering flux, cleaning, or patina agent for copper or galvanized steel that contains HF? I have found a few things related when I Googled several search terms, but was wondering if anyone here knows of a specific material related to the soldering, cleaning, or preparation of copper or galvanizing material that would contain HF.





RE: Glass Etching/Damage
They are commonly used by vandals make "etchitti" on glass.
Is your damage accidental in appearance, or deliberate vandalism?
RE: Glass Etching/Damage
Tom
Thomas J. Walz
Carbide Processors, Inc.
www.carbideprocessors.com
Good engineering starts with a Grainger Catalog.
RE: Glass Etching/Damage
Tom...no brazing was done, but a lot of soldering of copper roofing materials and welding on galvanized structure. I would anticipate that other fluxes would contain similar materials, so I'll check that as well.
RE: Glass Etching/Damage
Remember, it could have been on the glass and dry before installation. Then once exposed to humidity attack kicked in.
Sure it couldn't be caustic?
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Plymouth Tube
RE: Glass Etching/Damage