ASTM E407-07(2015)e1 pdf free download.Standard Practice for Microetching Metals and Alloys.
ASTM E407-07(2015)e1 covers chemical solutions and procedures to be used in etching metals and alloys for microscopic examination. Safety precautions and miscellaneous information are also included.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Table I is an alphabetical listing of the metals(includ ing rare earths )and their alloys for which etching information is available. For each metal and alloy, one or more etchant numbers and their corresponding use is indicated. Alloys are listed as a group or series when one or more etchants are common to the group or series. Specific alloys are listed only when necessary. When more than one etchant number is given for a particular use, they are usually given in order of preference. The numbers of electrolytic etchants are italicized to differentiate them from nonelectrolytic etchants.
4. 2 Table 2 is a numerical listing of all the etchants referenced in Table land includes the composition and general  procedure to be followed for each etchant.
4.3 To use the tables, look up the metal or alloy of interest in Table 1 and note the etchant numbers corresponding to the results desired. The etchant composition and procedure is then located in Table corresponding to the etchant number.
4.4 If the common name of an etchant is known (Marbles ilella’s, etc. ) and it is desired to know the composition Table contains an alphabetical listing of etchant names, each coded with a number corresponding to the etchant composition given in Table 2.
8. Precision and Bias
8.1 It is not possible to specify the precision or bias of this practice since quantitative measurements are not made.
9. Keywords
9.1 etch; etchant; interference method;metallography; metals: microetch;microscope;microstructure;Pepperhoff method;tint etch