3. Satin finishing solutions

The compositions of industrial satin finishing solutions can vary widely, depending on the satin finish required. What they have in common is hydrofluoric acid at a concentration close to 400 g/l for "fast" solutions used in the cosmetics, lighting and wine and spirits industries, or 200 g/l for the flat glass industry, a fluorinated ammonium or potassium salt at a concentration ranging from 70 to 600 g/l, and the presence of a concentrated strong acid at 100 to 300 g/l. It is important to note that all the species present in these baths are in dissolved form. Bulking agents such as barium sulfate can also be used. This totally insoluble compound adds a silky aspect to the final satin finish, but does not enter into the composition of the layer of precipitates formed after chemical etching of the satin finish.