We present the preliminary results of our research on the behavior of lead free glasses in the acid etching process, which is used for the formation of barrier ribs in plasma display panel. The glasses (BaO-B2O3-ZnO system) were etched in HNO3 solution (0.1-1.0% HNO3) at 50 degrees C. The structure and surface of the etched bulk glass were investigated by using inductively coupled plasma and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. As a result, Ba (3-35ppm/min) and Zn (2-27ppm/min) ions as major components were leached in the solution. A decrease of the bridge oxygen and a relative increase of non bridge oxygen in the etched glass were found by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.