Vilella’s Reagent – Superior Contrast for High-Alloy and Stainless Steels

Vilella’s Reagent is developed to reveal martensitic phases and carbide precipitates in stainless steels, tool steels, and high-alloy iron-based materials with maximum contrast.

Product Description & Characteristics

Vilella’s Reagent is a potent yet controlled etchant composed of hydrochloric acid, picric acid, and stabilizers. It is effective even on metals with high corrosion resistance. The precise balance in its formula clarifies acicular martensite structures and secondary phase precipitates (carbides) while maintaining a smooth surface finish without creating corrosive pitting.

Primary Applications

• Stainless Steel Analysis: Examination of grain structure and carbide distribution in 300 and 400 series stainless steels.

• Tool Steels: Determination of carbide morphology and distribution homogeneity.

• Martensitic Structures: Identification of martensitic needles and tempering effects in hardened steels.

• High-Chromium Alloys: Superior performance in alloys where Nital is ineffective due to high corrosion resistance.

Analytical Superiority

• Carbide Sensitivity: Clearly separates carbides from the ferrite or austenite matrix, facilitating easier phase counting and grain size measurement.

• Depth and Contrast: Creates a sense of three-dimensional phase depth through selective etching, making microscopic inspection more intuitive.

• Wetting Agent Technology: Integrated surfactants ensure full contact between the solution and the sample, preventing etching errors caused by air bubbles.