Does not matter what the metal is.........sodium hydroxide is nasty stuff.
Were you wearing eye protection??
A lot of stores won't carry it anymore in my neck of the woods
because it is so dangerous in the hands of inexperienced and
ill-equipped users.
If you have the proper equipment and setup for using sodium hydroxide,
then it is okay.
But messing around with the stuff as you are doing is not only dangerous,
but also not very smart.
Get a hold of a few good books that tell how to do what you want to do,
and that explain what equipment/techniques you should have.
I bet a quick "Google" will get you the intelligence you need to
do the job.
Roland F. Harriston, P.D.
∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗
On 3/30/2013 8:44 AM, Rick Sparber wrote:
>
> Roland,
>
> In this case, I am etching aluminum, not copper. I know that ferric
> chloride
> does not do much to aluminum.
>
> I chose lye because it was easy to find at my Ace Hardware store and was
> very low cost. Yet I see that the stuff is very active at full strength. I
> assume that if I mix in more water, it would not be as aggressive nor
> generate as much heat.
>
> If I didn't use lye, what other commonly found chemical could etch
> aluminum.
> I tried drain cleaner but it was far too slow and stopped etching after a
> few minutes. I was left with a very slight roughness in the exposed area.
>
> Rick
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>
> [mailto:Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
> <mailto:Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>]
> On Behalf Of Roland Harriston
> Sent: Saturday, March 30, 2013 8:34 AM
> To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com <mailto:Homebrew_PCBs%40yahoogroups.com>
> Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] lye
>
> Whew!
>
> A really bad idea!
>
> There are so many less dangerous materials that have been used to etch
> PCB's
> that have proven to be relatively safe and very effective over the last
> 50 or 60
> years.
>
> The task is not that complex or hazardous.....why make it so?
>
> Roland F. Harriston, P.D.
> ∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗∗
>
> On 3/30/2013 7:31 AM, Rick Sparber wrote:
> >
> > Has anyone used lye to etch aluminum through photo resist?
> >
> > As a test, I put a strip of aluminum in lye plus water and after 15
> > minutes the strip was half of its original thickness. So there is no
> > doubt that lye can etch VERY deep. But the chemical reaction generated
> > a lot of heat and the tape I had on there quickly floated off. Next
> > time I will use more water.
> >
> > I did have the lye and aluminum outside while I watched from inside.
> > Nasty fumes!
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Rick
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and
> Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
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