Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

i've been in contact with Volkan off list and had received samples of
the MIS ink on pcbs. The samples were for testing the individual inks
in etching baths.

Volkan painted the inks on the prepared copper then 'cured' at a high
temperature over a stove burner. Two layers of ink were coated on the
samples.

I tried 2 different etching baths, FeCL and HCl/H2O2.

The 4 inks (black, cyan, yellow, magenta) withstood the FeCl very well.

The HCl/H2O2 attacked the black and Cyan inks rendering them useless,
The Yellow and Magenta held up very well.

Some observations:

Curing is critical. Need to determind the exact conditions.

The 'painted' double layer is not representative of the printed
pattern. The thicker edges seem to be attacked more easily in the
etchants.

Some thoughts:

The inks are alcohol soluble. A little rubbing alcohol (isopropyl)
removed the inks. Note for cleaning up afterward.

Is it just the MIS ink clone formualtion of the Durabrite ink that
works? Were the MIS inks used because that was availible to Volkan at
the time? Would the Durabrite ink work?

Last night, I was able to print a few prepared flexible pcb's using
and Epson C66 printer with Durabrite ink. The print quality was very
good and the coverage ok with only slight beading on th solid blocks.
I used variosu settings for print qualtiy from the Epson control panel.

after 12 hours the Durabrite ink was still wet and smudged easily. The
next step in to put them in an oven, at variopus time/temperatures, to
cure. then etch.

Will keep you posted.

Myc