Homebrew_PCBs

----- Original Message -----
From: "lcdpublishing" <lcdpublishing@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, April 07, 2006 2:55 PM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] Chemists? Ferric Chloride and Aluminum?


> Hi guys,
>
> Perhaps one of you chemistry guys knows what happened here. While
> etching a board, I got to thinking about how the Ferric Chloride
> stains some metals (and wood, and other things) black. Always one to
> try things, I dipped an aluminum bar in the stuff for a few seconds.
>
> When I pulled it out, it had what appears to be rust scale on it like
> crazy! I assume this to be bits of Copper and not rust, but I was
> wondering if someone could explain what happened there? I don't think
> it was electrolysis - no electricty going through the mess.
>
> Yet, somehow, the copper seemed to attract to the aluminum - it didn't
> stick though. A rinse in water removed it quickly. The aluminum did
> turn gray in color and not black like i had hoped - so it was a failed
> experiment. But, it sure was interesting and raised a few questions!

You can get an electrolytic effect (a battery) by putting two dissimilar
metals in an acid solution, and iron can be coated with copper just by
putting it in copper sulphate solution: iron is dissolving and being
replaced by copper. Perhaps that was happening in your case.

Leon

---
[This E-mail has been scanned for viruses but it is your responsibility
to maintain up to date anti virus software on the device that you are
currently using to read this email. ]

> Hi guys,
>
>
> Perhaps one of you chemistry guys knows what happened here. While
>
> etching a board, I got to thinking about how the Ferric Chloride
>
> stains some metals (and wood, and other things) black. Always one to
>
> try things, I dipped an aluminum bar in the stuff for a few seconds.
>
>
> When I pulled it out, it had what appears to be rust scale on it like
>
> crazy! I assume this to be bits of Copper and not rust, but I was
>
> wondering if someone could explain what happened there? I don't think
>
> it was electrolysis - no electricty going through the mess.
>
>
> Yet, somehow, the copper seemed to attract to the aluminum - it didn't
>
> stick though. A rinse in water removed it quickly. The aluminum did
>
> turn gray in color and not black like i had hoped - so it was a failed
>
> experiment. But, it sure was interesting and raised a few questions!
>
>
> Chris

> Hi guys,

> Perhaps one of you chemistry guys knows what happened here. While
> etching a board, I got to thinking about how the Ferric Chloride
> stains some metals (and wood, and other things) black. Always one to
> try things, I dipped an aluminum bar in the stuff for a few seconds.

> When I pulled it out, it had what appears to be rust scale on it like
> crazy! I assume this to be bits of Copper and not rust, but I was
> wondering if someone could explain what happened there? I don't think
> it was electrolysis - no electricty going through the mess.

> Yet, somehow, the copper seemed to attract to the aluminum - it didn't
> stick though. A rinse in water removed it quickly. The aluminum did
> turn gray in color and not black like i had hoped - so it was a failed
> experiment. But, it sure was interesting and raised a few questions!

> Chris

>
> If you put some iron or steel in the CuCl it gets a copper coating.
> I dunno what happens here, i expect it is some form of electroless

>
> But i think in your case something different is happening, since

> copper coat on iron is thin and mostly smooth.
>
> If you want to get the aluminum black you can anodize it and use

> color with that. Seems quite easy to set up at home, although i

> find enough need so far.
>
> ST
>
>
> On Fri, 07 Apr 2006 15:55:54 +0200, lcdpublishing
> <lcdpublishing@...> wrote:
>
> > Hi guys,
> >
> >
> > Perhaps one of you chemistry guys knows what happened here.

> >
> > etching a board, I got to thinking about how the Ferric Chloride
> >
> > stains some metals (and wood, and other things) black. Always

> >
> > try things, I dipped an aluminum bar in the stuff for a few

> >
> >
> > When I pulled it out, it had what appears to be rust scale on it

> >
> > crazy! I assume this to be bits of Copper and not rust, but I

> >
> > wondering if someone could explain what happened there? I don't

> >
> > it was electrolysis - no electricty going through the mess.
> >
> >
> > Yet, somehow, the copper seemed to attract to the aluminum - it

> >
> > stick though. A rinse in water removed it quickly. The

> >
> > turn gray in color and not black like i had hoped - so it was a

> >
> > experiment. But, it sure was interesting and raised a few

> >
> >
> > Chris
>

> Hi guys,
>
> Perhaps one of you chemistry guys knows what happened here. While
> etching a board, I got to thinking about how the Ferric Chloride
> stains some metals (and wood, and other things) black. Always one to
> try things, I dipped an aluminum bar in the stuff for a few seconds.
>
> When I pulled it out, it had what appears to be rust scale on it like
> crazy! I assume this to be bits of Copper and not rust, but I was
> wondering if someone could explain what happened there? I don't think
> it was electrolysis - no electricty going through the mess.
>
> Yet, somehow, the copper seemed to attract to the aluminum - it didn't
> stick though. A rinse in water removed it quickly. The aluminum did
> turn gray in color and not black like i had hoped - so it was a failed
> experiment. But, it sure was interesting and raised a few questions!
>
> Chris
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
>
> If Files or Photos are running short of space, post them here:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs_Archives/
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

>
> Just like what drives pretty much everything in this universe,

> The copper ions in solution are more electronegative than aluminum
> metal. As a result electrons are transfered from aluminum to the

> ions. The copper atoms become neutral (metal) and the aluminum

> become ions (dissolved in solution).
>
> Why is your experiment be a failure?. You clearly determined the

> to your question if ferric chloride can turn an aluminum surface

>
> lcdpublishing wrote:
> > Hi guys,
> >
> > Perhaps one of you chemistry guys knows what happened here.

> > etching a board, I got to thinking about how the Ferric Chloride
> > stains some metals (and wood, and other things) black. Always

> > try things, I dipped an aluminum bar in the stuff for a few

> >
> > When I pulled it out, it had what appears to be rust scale on it

> > crazy! I assume this to be bits of Copper and not rust, but I

> > wondering if someone could explain what happened there? I don't

> > it was electrolysis - no electricty going through the mess.
> >
> > Yet, somehow, the copper seemed to attract to the aluminum - it

> > stick though. A rinse in water removed it quickly. The

> > turn gray in color and not black like i had hoped - so it was a

> > experiment. But, it sure was interesting and raised a few

> >
> > Chris
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files,

> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs
> >
> > If Files or Photos are running short of space, post them here:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBs_Archives/
> > Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>