Lately I've been etch testing many different steels to check for contrast when patternwelding. I know that bandsaw blade and pallet strapping is a very popular combination today and was thinking of trying it. I know that there is good strap and bad strap. My question is, when using the good steel strapping, how dark will it etch? I have tried two different samples of steel strapping, both construction grade used for strapping bricks and block, and neither of them etch very dark, they etch very light gray compared to other high carbon steels i've tried. Is there strapping that will etch as dark as high carbon tool steel, or will it only etch light gray? I know my etchant is good because it will turn a piece of tool steel jet black in about 15 minutes. I use a mix of 2 parts hydrogen peroxide and one part muriatic acid. Any help would be appriciated.

There is a difference in etched color after steels have been heat treated.

thanks, i should have thought about that