Picral Solution %4 | Metallography | ASTM E407

Picral Solution %4 is the industry-standard etchant for resolving fine microstructural details in plain carbon, alloy, and tool steels. Unlike Nital, which aggressively attacks ferrite grain boundaries and can obscure fine internal structures, Picral specifically targets the cementite (carbide) interfaces.

This highly selective chemical action results in exceptionally crisp, high-contrast visual resolution of pearlite lamellae, bainitic structures, and individual carbide particles. For laboratories conducting in-depth analyses of heat treatment effectiveness or investigating carbide spheroidization, Picral provides a significantly cleaner and more detailed microscopic view than general-purpose etchants.

Certified ASTM E407 Compliance

Accuracy in phase measurement and carbide distribution analysis relies heavily on strictly standardized reagents. Gündüz Kimya manufactures our 4% Picral Solution in absolute strict adherence to ASTM E407 (Standard Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys).

Picral Solution %4 Applications & Uses

Our 4% Picral Etchant is precisely formulated to deliver maximum clarity for specific high-level metallurgical tasks:

• Pearlite and Bainite Resolution: The premier etchant for resolving fine pearlite spacing and distinguishing upper and lower bainite structures in heat-treated steels.

• Carbide Analysis: Excellently highlights undissolved carbides, complex alloy carbides, and spheroidal carbides in tool steels and high-carbon alloys without obscuring them behind heavily etched grain boundaries.

• Heat Treatment Verification: Clearly delineates structures resulting from normalizing, annealing, quenching, and tempering processes to accurately assess thermal treatment quality.

• Decarburization Measurement: Provides sharp contrast to measure the depth of surface decarburization on manufactured steel components.

Picral Solution %4 Flexible Packaging to Suit Institutional Demands

Due to the highly sensitive nature of picric acid, our Picral Solution 4% is securely packaged in chemically inert, tightly sealed containers engineered to prevent evaporation and ensure maximum laboratory safety:

• 250 ml Bottle: Ideal for specialized heat-treatment research, failure analysis laboratories, or low-volume targeted testing.

• 500 ml Bottle: The standard configuration for industrial laboratories managing regular quality control of heat-treated components.

• 1 Liter (1000 ml) Bottle: The highly efficient and economical choice for high-capacity heat treatment facilities, automotive parts manufacturers, and large-scale materials testing labs.

Why Choose Gündüz Kimya’s Picral Solution?

• Exceptional Purity: Compounded utilizing strictly analytical-grade picric acid and alcohol to prevent artifact formation and ensure clear, uniform etching.

• Ready-to-Use Safety: Handling dry crystalline picric acid is a severe explosion hazard. Our professionally pre-mixed and stabilized solution completely eliminates the extreme, life-threatening risks associated with in-house picric acid formulation.

• Unwavering Consistency: Rigorous batch-control guarantees identical etching performance across every order, ensuring the absolute reliability of your historical metallurgical data.

• Specialized Storage: Packaged in airtight, high-density containers to prevent the solvent from evaporating—a critical safety measure to prevent the formation of shock-sensitive picric acid crystals around the cap.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification
Product Name	Picral Solution 4% (Metallographic Etchant)
Standard Compliance	ASTM E407
Active Ingredients	Picric Acid (Trinitrophenol) & Industrial Alcohol
Concentration	4% Picric Acid
Appearance	Bright yellow liquid
Available Volumes	250 ml, 500 ml, 1 Liter
Application Method	Immersion or Swabbing (typically a few seconds to several minutes, depending on the alloy)
Grade	Analytical / Laboratory Grade
Manufacturer	Gündüz Kimya

Critical Safety & Handling Warning:
Picral Solution contains Picric Acid, which is highly toxic, strongly stains the skin yellow, and is EXPLOSIVE if allowed to dry out. Never allow the solution to evaporate completely. Always inspect the bottle cap and threads for dried, yellow crystalline deposits before opening; dried crystals are highly sensitive to friction and shock. Always use complete Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including heavy-duty chemical-resistant gloves, a face shield or splash goggles, and a protective lab coat. Use strictly under a certified laboratory fume hood. Store in a dedicated flammables safety cabinet, tightly sealed, and regularly inspect for solvent loss. Please consult the comprehensive Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by Gündüz Kimya prior to use.