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Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] Copper plating material(s) for a neophyte

From: Adam Seychell <a_seychell@...>
Date: 2006-01-09

Sounds kind of odd to want to make an entire pre etched PCB, back to
being conductive over its entire surface. Why not skip the etching step
altogether so you have fully copper coated fiber glass material ?

Your question does not read as wanting to selectively coat the copper
tracks with a conductive material since copper is already quite conductive.

You post is also contradictory by mentioning the use of polyurethane as
being an option, becuase this is not a electrically conductive.

Maybe your better to explain what your goal is.

Adam



alan00463 wrote:
> Next, I need to get a conductive substance to plate the copper board
> with, after etching. Either immersion or wipe-on or electroplated.
> I am guessing wipe-on Ag powder would be the easiest.
>
> However, I must use ∗cheapest∗ rather than easiest or best.
>
> I have 12 V gel cells, low-amperage DC wall warts, a low-amperage DC
> dial-a-voltage regulator, a low-amperage +- 12 VDC power supply, and a
> 24VDC-7A power supply, in addition to regular 115VAC mains.
>
>>From surfing the web, I see that I can plate Cu with tin, silver, or
> nickel. Polyurethane is another "easy" option for a
> non-chemically-bonded copper protectant, I guess.
>
> So what based on your experience is the cheapest material that will do
> a good job?
>
> Alan
>
>
>