Homebrew_PCBs

Oh lordy, I sure didn't want to get into chemistry when I started
tinkering with electronics, but that is just the way it goes sometimes.
I will be using up my FhCl till it's gone which may be a long time,
but, trying to figure out which to switch to is confusing me. I have
started a comparison list below and am not even sure if what I have so
far is accurate. Clarify it if I am wrong, add to it if there are
attributes I missed.

Chris



FhCl
Advantages -
Easy to get, Radio Shack

Dissadvantages --
Can't see what is going on inside the tank
Stains everything it gets on
Disposal - flush down the toilet?
Somewhat slow process (in my few experiences)


AP
Advantages -
Clear in color
Does not stain

Dissadvantages --
More difficult to obtain
Cannot be rejuventated
Disposal - Not sure what to do with it


CuCl
Advantages -
Does not need a heater
is somewhat clear in color?
Can be rejuvenated

Dissadvantages --
Difficulty finding the high concentrations chemicals
A little more complex in use to maintain (but lasts longer)

FhCl?

lcdpublishing <lcdpublishing@...> wrote:Oh lordy, I sure didn't want to get into chemistry when I started
tinkering with electronics, but that is just the way it goes sometimes.
I will be using up my FhCl till it's gone which may be a long time,
but, trying to figure out which to switch to is confusing me. I have
started a comparison list below and am not even sure if what I have so
far is accurate. Clarify it if I am wrong, add to it if there are
attributes I missed.

Chris




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ferric chloride

Like I said, I didn't want to get into chemicals ;-)

> FhCl
> Advantages -
> Easy to get, Radio Shack

> Dissadvantages --
> Can't see what is going on inside the tank
> Stains everything it gets on
> Disposal - flush down the toilet?
> Somewhat slow process (in my few experiences)

I've always used it and never anything else. Mind you, I didn't know about
the alternatives until I started reading this group about a year ago.

Typically takes about 15min in a heated bubble etch tank and, if the
resist is good, longer does no harm. You can get undercutting which could
be a problem with narrow tracks but I take a look after 15m and judge how
much longer it will take (if it needs it) so I've never found opacity a
problem.

There are propriety stain removers available, based on Oxalic acid it
seems, and with care it's not a problem. I usually stand the tank etc on
some old newspapers to catch any accidental drips.

For the small time user I don't think disposal is a problem.

I have:

Poured down an outside (foul sewer) drain and flushed with lots of water.
Poured onto a patch of ground in the garden I subsequently laid a path
over.
Poured into an open dish and allowed to evaporate, collecting the solid
and placing inside a sealed jar. (Original plastic container the stuff
came in) and thrown out with household rubbish.