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Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] RE: How we make PCB's

From: ctech <ctech4285@...>
Date: 2014-01-18

Hello David,
It is true that Ferric Chloride will do the same job almost as fast under perfect conditions. With reverse plating it works consistently under any conditions of your enchant. Speed is important it seems, fine details come out perfect and edges are sharp if you stay under 5 minutes.

True the current is massive compared to plating. When plating you care about that the ions are deposited and make proper bonds on the Cathode. For some reason it works better with low current. But we don't care, we only care about ions being removed from the Anode (PCB) and the only problem I notices is when it goes too high the FR4 will actually burn, fine traces heat up and destroy the resist and the like..

If I have time I'll set up an experiment at different currents...

Kind regards
Andreas


On Sat, Jan 18, 2014 at 7:14 AM, <dgh2259@...> wrote:
 

Hello Andreas,


I apologize if I have missed something here, but why are you using "reverse" electroplating and ferric chloride, when the Ferric chloride will do the same job alone? is it for speed? I also note the current you are using is "massive" In normal electroplating i.e. copper plating,  I use less than 1 amp and it achieves the desired results! a rule of thumb being " less amps better finish!"  is this also to speed up the process?

Many thanks


David