Not quite that simple. You do have to add HCl occasionally to provide chloride ion.
When I switched from ferric chloride, I started with copper (II) chloride and have been using that bath for several years. I use air for regeneration; although, peroxide will work too, but common 3% will dilute the bath. Ozone will also work and is quicker than air, but requires a generator. Common household air fresheners don't produce enough ozone to be very helpful, though.
John
----- Original Message -----
From: Dave Sage
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2012 9:58 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Re: Kepping Your Etchant Good? Multiple Use? Muriatic Acid / H2O2
FYI
If you are using the Muriatic Acid /H2O2 formulation correctly you never
need to add more H2O2. Somewhere along the way the original intent of this
formulation has been lost here. You all should go back and read the original
post on making Cupric Chloride. You start with acid and H2O2 and saturate it
with copper. From there you just have to bubble air into it for an extended
period of time to turn it into Cupric Chloride and it's ready to go. You are
defeating the purpose by using the acid H2O2 for one time use. Do your
etching and then return it to a container for more bubbling in the off time
to convert it to Cupric Chloride again. Lasts forever. In fact you actually
gain slightly more volume of etchant after each use. Cupric Chloride is used
in industry now since it is re-usable "more green - no pun intended - since
Cupric Chloride is green"
Sage
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