Two completely different mineral acids you are talking about. Hydrochloric
produces Chlorine gas, and I promise it will corrode things in the vacinity.
Sulpuric is not as bad about corroding things near it, although take a look
at the battery tray in an older vehicle for an example of what it can do.
Neither is particularly dangeraos compared to say Hydrofluric acid; it is
horrible and very dangerous (etches / dissolves glass, even).
----- Original Message -----
From: Roland Harriston
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2007 10:27 AM
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] "Muriatic Acid" Etymology
Lez:
If you happen to live in the southwest USA where there are lots
of backyard swimming pools, you can find muriatic acid in
the local supermarkets along with other pool maintenance
supplies. Most of the local Ace Hardware stores can get
muriatic acid for you if they don't already have it in stock.
Also, a lot of construction and building supply emporiums
like Home Depot stock muriatic acid, although they
generally have it large plastic bottles, like one or five gallons.
Ace Hardware stocks it in 1 quart plastic bottles in my area.
And speaking of outgassing and corrosion: Consider the
approximately 1 liter of sulphuric acid that almost everyone
has sitting in the garage most of the time. I'm referring to
the acid in your car battery, and car battery acid is much
stronger (Baume) than domestic Muriatic acid. And besides
some car batteries are vented!
To date, I have not noticed any of my tools, electronic
test equipment, photolab stuff being attacked by the
gaseous products from batteries in the two cars
residing in my garage, nor have I seen any ill-effects
on the automobiles, paint, wiring, trim,etc.
Personally, I detest Ferric Chloride....nasty stuff.
Roland F. Harriston