Chemical Wood Burning (STEAM) Kit with Video Instruction
Follow along with local maker Gordon Gueydan as he takes you through all the steps of creating a faux wood burning design of your choosing. chemical wood burning/watercolor wood burning/custom branding iron
Ammonium chloride decomposes into ammonia gas and strong hydrochloric acid (NH4Cl → NH3 + HCl). Ammonia diffuses away into the atmosphere, leaving the strong acid behind, which burns the wood. The resulting chemical burn is identical to a heat burn in most respects.
This process sounds nastier than it is, and although prudence dictates erring on the side of caution and working with plenty of ventilation, the process does not produce a noticeable smell either of ammonia or of HCl. The only detectable odor is burning wood.
CAUTION: Ammonium chloride fumes can cause respiratory harm or an asthma-like allergy, so avoid breathing dust, vapor, mist, or gas. Wash thoroughly after handling. Store ammonium chloride capped at room temperature and protect it from heat.
Things needed NOT included in your kit but required:
-Water
-Oven or heat gun
-Oven mitts (if using oven)
Optional:
-Pencil
-Dye/watercolor
-Flour
-Stencils
-Stamps
-newspaper/towel to protect work surface (Ammonium Chloride is water soluble, but if using dye would be good idea)
Skills or Techniques
Painting, drawing, Thermal Decomposition Reaction