Homebrew PCBs

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Adam Seychell <a_seychell@y...>
wrote:
>
> Sounds kind of odd to want to make an entire pre etched PCB, back to 
> being conductive over its entire surface. Why not skip the etching
step altogether so you have fully copper coated fiber glass material ?
> 
> Your question does not read as wanting to selectively coat the
copper tracks with a conductive material since copper is already quite
conductive.
> 
> You post is also contradictory by mentioning the use of polyurethane
as being an option, becuase this is not a electrically conductive.
 
> Maybe your better to explain what your goal is.

Sure, Adam.   I want to etch the copper artwork *before* I have all
the components to populate the board with.   So that is why I wanted
some substance to cover the copper traces immediately after etching so
they don't become oxidized.    I was thinking it would be easier to
solder the (through-hole) components in place if I used an
electrically conductive material.   Or should I use something I can
later clean off the copper traces with solder flux when ready to
populate the board?

Anyway, I did some research this afternoon and discovered that of the
conductive substances nickel, tin, lead, and silver.
Nickel is a poor conductor of electricity.
Lead is a poison as well as a poor conductor.
Tin is also a poor conductor of electricity.
That leaves silver, which is an excellent conductor.    Stefan, you
are right as usual.   Thanks, Stefan for taking time to answer me.

And yes, I realize it would have been necessary to interconnect all
the copper traces in order to electroplate a metal onto them.   That's
an extra step that will be nice to avoid.

Thanks to all who answered,
Alan