--- In
Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, JanRwl@... wrote:
>
> In a message dated 6/30/2006 7:56:10 A.M. Central Daylight Time,
> robert.hedan@... writes:
>
> I'd even go so far as scrapping this FeCl and buying another gallon
> before
> screwing this up.<<
> And that'd PROBABLY be no more expensive than all the "stuff" you'd
> need to
> "regenerate"!
>
>
I don't know why this is turning into such a debate - yes, starting
with cupric chloride would probably work better - but if you've
already got the FeCl3 and don't mind, or have learned to control the
mess, regenerating is much cheaper. A bottle of 40 volume H2O2 is $5
from Sally Beauty Supply and will regenerate 2 gallons of etchant very
easily. Do it outside, and slowly to keep the etchant from foaming
over the edge of the container. I have not noticed any chlorine gas
being released from it. It 'stings' a little if you get a whiff of
it, but it doesn't produce huge gas clouds - I believe it is giving
off hydrogen or oxygen so /don't/ do it indoors. The only problem I
worry about is the heat produced during the process might melt the
container its in. I originally had the etchant in a 5 gallon paint
bucket (#2 Recycling symbol on the bottom). I eventually stacked the
first bucket onto a second bucket just in case it starts to melt
through, but after about two years of etching, it hasn't been an
issue.