Homebrew PCBs

I did this recently using the same recipe.  It worked very well for
the first etching session but a few days later, the etchant was "flat"
(for lack of a better word).  No amount of bubbling engergized it.  I
had to get 30% H2O2 to get it going again.  Note that the initial
etching is not CuCl but probably HCl.  I saw a lot of bubbles in mine
- probably Hydrogen.  Have good ventilation.

I suggest you mix a smallish batch -  1 L 3% H2O2 + .5 L 30% HCL to
start.  You will need a fair amount of 30% H2O2 to regenerate it so
smaller is better.  

I'm still hoping that I can bubble to regenerate it.

You might want to store the etchant in the etching vessel.  Pouring a
caustic liquid isn't fun.

Note that this brew attacks some plastics - I had left 2 air "stones"
in the etchant and they disintegrated in about 10 days.  That was fun
- fishing out the pieces.  Also, I was using trimmer line to hold my
boards and the HCl/H2O2 etchant attacked that plastic as well.  sigh.

Phil

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Anthony Toft <toftat@c...> wrote:
> I am going to be mixing a batch of CuCl etchant today using the recipe
> found on the group site. Basically 2:1 3% peroxide:Muriatic Acid. I have
> read that I should 'preload' this with some copper, is it necessary?
> 
> Also would a used soda bottle be suitable storage for the results? As I
> think the etchant will work more than once right?
> -- 
> Anthony Toft <toftat@c...>
>      I'm Anton, and I approve this message