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Pinhole question
2013-11-07 by <w6nim@...>
http://www.ebay.com/itm/A4-10Pcs-Sheets-Heat-Toner-Transfer-Paper-For-DIY-PCB-Electronic-Prototype-Mak-/170900415631?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27ca75648f
for $1.96/10 sheets, delivered. Prints nicely, perfect release, no soaking at all.
On to the problem: I'm using an HP printer with an aftermarket toner. It prints nicely onto the transfer paper, and transfers nicely to the PCB (using a GBC laminator, multiple passes). Appeared to etch nicely (ferric chloride, for now, since I had some on hand), but I didn't have acetone ready to clean the toner off the etched board. Three or four days later, acetone in hand, I cleaned the traces, and found numerous pinholes on all the traces. I'm speculating that the toner absorbed minute quantities of etchant, and continued to etch until wiped clean. Is this a reasonable assumption - that cleaning immediately after etching is required? Or is the aftermarket toner suspect??
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Norm
W6NIM