Decontamination of metals using chemical etching

A process for reclaiming radiation contaminated equipment by removing radioactive contaminants from metal surfaces of said equipment comprising preparing a solution of nitric acid containing a reduction-oxidation system, wherein said reduction-oxidation system may be reduced and subsequently reoxidized by electrolysis, heating said solution, contacting the metal to be decontaminated with said solution, said contacting effecting a chemical reaction reducing said reduction-oxidation system to the reduced state, disposing a pair of electrodes in said solution, passing an electrical current between said electrodes thereby regenerating the oxidized state and thereby regenerating said solution, said contact of said metal with said solution effectively removing said radioactive contaminants from said metal surfaces, and subsequently removing said metal from said solution as an essentially radioactive contaminant-free metal.