Scott,

The darkness of the etch is primarily determined by the manganese content on the steel. The higher the content, the darker the etch.

I would recommend a 10xx series steel with a different manganese content and you will have your steel.

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I'm working on a pattern that needs a third color, I have 15N20 & 1084 or L6 & 01 so I have the silver and black covered so I'm looking for a steel that is compatible in the heat treatment to one group or the other and etch to a light gray, my preference would be the L6&01 and ? for the contrast any suggestions would be appreciated.

For a tricolor that is completely compatible, I use O-1, L6 and O2. The O2 will etch black due to the manganese and the O-1 will etch a gray color. If you go with the 10XX/15n20 mix look for lower Mn, the easiest way to get a lighter color would be to use some Cr, but that will push the heat treat out of synch with the 10XX/15n20 mix.

Thanks guys looks like I will go with the 15n20,1084 and w2. Kevin do you know of a supplier of o2 in the US the fue I was able to find on the Internet are over seas.

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Thanks guys looks like I will go with the 15n20,1084 and w2. Kevin do you know of a supplier of o2 in the US the fue I was able to find on the Internet are over seas.

Used to be offered by Carpenter but they discontinued it around 1998. Most of it is now either found in stockpiles or brought in from over seas. Check with Aldo he seems to be the one most likely to stumble onto stockpiles these days.