roel_cnc wrote:
> Hi,
>
> some testing done with sulfuric acid and normal solder wire as anode
> I uploaded a few photo's shown the huge tank and the result :))
> http://www.xs4all.nl/~atmel/fotos/album1.html
> the 1st result was get cristals on the surface after bagging the
> tin in a coffee filter makes much better result
> also the voltage as low as 2 volts helps
> i like to use the tin as a resist for etching (in future)
> it solder real easy components on so gonna use it as anti oxidize for
> copper (instead of a flux)
> just have to hot weld another pvc tank for it
> any sugests always welcome
> the little red tank is 5 x 5 cm :) filled with dim water and only a
> few drips of acid
>
Those results look very promising. Do exactly what you've done and
plate a raw copper board. Then do the toner iron on. Then use the
board as the + to plate some junk, to strip the uncovered tin then the
copper. Then finish etch the small remaining copper in FeCl. Wipe with
acetone to remove the toner and you should have a nice tin plated etched
board with little fuss. That would make it well worth having both the
mild sulfuric acid and FeCl3 solutions around. May still not be worth
the extra time and steps for just test boards, but would be very nice
for long term items.
May need two plating solutions, since the second will end up
with both copper and tin in it, so would plate both copper and tin the
second time around if it were used for the plating. Plating just to the
copper board should leave the first with only tin in it. But a mix may
not be a problem anyway. Also I'll try
some silver solder to see if that works, may make an even better finish
with a little silver added instead of just tin.
Alan