On 8/19/2011 11:16 AM, kx4om wrote:
>
> Before I posted, I did a search in the archives for "vinegar".
> Returned several hits. Here is a link to a web article where the
> etching process does indeed use household vinegar (with
> drugstore-strength hydrogen peroxide and table salt.)
>
> http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=351
>
> _
Not 100% sure about the chemistry - it's been 60+ years since chem
classes, but as I recall, vinegar (5% acetic acid, HAc) + Salt (sodium
chloride, NaCl) => HCl (hydrochloric acid) + NaAc (sodium acetate?). It
would be a very weak HCl, and when combined with the drugstore H2O2
yields a very weak version of the same etchant as the CuCl version
(just add copper). I have no idea what the NaAc might contribute to the
etching process. The very weak acid/oxidizer solution tends to agree
with quindunki's report of very slow etching time__
<
http://quinndunki.com/blondihacks/?p=351> (1 hour +). It obviously
works for him, and possibly the very weak etchant contributes to his
success with fine traces. To me, the commercial HCl is easier and
faster than messing with kitchen condiments.
Just my opinion - - - YMMV.
Norm
W6NIM
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