On 27/05/2012 12:39, poofjunior wrote:
>
> Hello, everyone,
>
> I've got a question that comes with a quick back-story.
>
> Last winter, I started etching with a batch of cupric chloride that I
> had made myself. I was hoping to aerate it for a while for reuse, so I
> left the lid off the waste container and let it sit on the garage
> table. Unfortunately, I left back to school about a week later, but
> thankfully my dad kindly covered it back up for me.
>
> Unfortunately, when I returned in the spring, I noticed that from that
> week with the lid off, the nearby power drill had developed a fine
> layer of brown rust on some of its exposed metal parts.
>
> In retrospect, I should've predicted this, but I didn't since we've
> all discussed aerating our solutions without any issues.
>
> In light of "the unintentional etch," has anyone else had this issue
> before? Also, how are y'all aerating your solution to avoid this
> problem? I can imagine that aerating near something like a computer
> for a week could be disastrous since the vents expose the metal inside.
>
> I'd really appreciate any thoughts/hints for "responsibly" aerating!
>
> :)
>
> Many thanks for your input!
>
Like others have said. Don't have too much acid. High acid will increase
etch speed, but the consequences are fuming and corrosion as you are
experiencing. Of course if there are splashes and micro droplets finding
there way to surrounding items then unwanted corrosion is inevitable. If
you ever had a fish tank with aerator and no cover, you may of found
water splashing a foot radius or more. The etching tank ∗must∗ be
covered with a lid when bubbling. I have noting more than 3mm slit
opening in the lid , just enough for the PCB, and even so there are
splashes.
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