Simple methods for analyzing ferric chloride etchant. If not, dont worry, ill mention the changes you need to make at a. Today, our customers can choose from three types of regeneration. Due to superior quality of material, more floc is formed and consumption of ferric chloride solutions become less, results saving in cost and material become cheaper. This mix is not real agressive and i can make 34 wipes of the solution to get the etch i want for a hammon. Here at, we are committed to protecting your privacy. Technical hut ferric ferrous chloride fecl3 pcb etching. Pcb etching process and copper chloride and ferric chloride market. Heres something some of you may find interesting, its an experimental result of me being poor and being tired of buying more expensive small bottles of ferric chloride etchant from radio shack every time i wanted to etch another board. Jun 15, 2015 the process i use to etch pcb with ferric chloride. The sacrificial electrode needs to be iron the other electrode will build up a thick plating of copper, so it might as well be copper to start with and you can weigh it in for scrap when it gets too big.
In this instructable, i will show you how to etch a circuit board with about a tablespoon of ferric chloride etching solution and a 2 inch square sponge. Ferric chloride fe2cl3 for pcb etching pcb etchent. Pcb etch, pcb echant, printed circuit board fabrication. Alternatives to ferric chloride acid for etching metal. The complete aqueous ferric chloride solutions density. Ferric chloride pcb etching i buy my ferric chloride in dry form from jameco. Pcb etchant most commonly used for etching pcb boards.
How to make pcb etch solution using anhydrous ferric. The acid eats away at the unmasked areas, leaving a groove. By adam seychell last modified 5 november 2005 this page describes some practical information on how to use air regenerated acid cupric chloride to etch printed circuit boards at home. Ready to use solution designed for etching printed circuit boards and other metals. Do all the etching outside as it is extremely dangerous. Another ferric chloride calculator has been provided here with the table taken from perrys chemical engineers.
Search results for ferric chloride at sigmaaldrich. Its usually sold in a bottle dissolved in water, perhaps with a little acid or peroxide or as a powder which you have to dissolve in water. Inhalation of vapor may cause severe respiratory tract irritation. Ferric chloride is a major asset to photo etching because it has such a wide ranging array of benefits to providers in the field.
A tutorial on this etching this attiny85 tht based pcb. Ferric chloride anhydrous is commonly used as an etchant. Technical hut ferric ferrous chloride fecl3 pcb etching agent. Usually to etch the copper from the pcb, an aqueous solution of ferric chloride also. Selective etching of gold nanorods by ferric chloride at room. The process i use to etch pcb with ferric chloride. Googling about it you can find half a dozen very good tutorials on the. At 70c using spray etching 1oz copper is removed in a little under a.
Pcb etching technique and analysis of etching solution latest. However the ferric chloride is not liquid but a bunch of blocks. Stripping and etching process of pcb sierra assembly. The table below gives the density kgl and the corresponding concentration % weight of ferric chloride fecl 3 solutions in water at different temperatures in degrees centigrade c.
Using the toner transfer method i also add on a layer of trf toner. Alternatives to ferric chloride acid for etching metal know. It is sold either as a liquid, or concentrate that must be diluted. Etch rate can be very high but is dependant on solution movement over the surface of the board and temperature. Ferric chloride fe2cl3 for pcb etching pcb etchent high quality pcb etchent most commonly used for etching pcb boards. Its easy enough to come by, and the ferric by itself is no big environmental problem. Again, those chemicals at those concentrations are aggressive. Prepare pcb with resist draw with permanent marker, toner transfer, tape, uv resist whatever takes your fancy, pour ferric chloride solution into a plastic container, put in pcb, leave until the copper has dissolved where there is no resist, remove, rinse and dry. Pcb ferric chloride tips engineering technical pcbway. Etching your own circuit boards is tons of fun, but etching requires strong chemicals to dissolve the copper plating on blank circuit boards. Pcb etch, pcb echant, printed circuit board fabrication printed circuit board fabrication via resist etch it is possible to make good quality circuit boards using some form of echant resist on copper board iron, then wetting the laser print and loosening the toner then etching with ferric chloride, cupric chloride, or some other echant. Will latex gloves work, or will this crap eat through them. Then i remembered id been thinking of switching to reusable etchant, created on the bench using muriatic acid the store name for hydrochloric acid, hcl, used for cleaning swimming pools.
Ferrous iron can be determined by oxidation titration with either permanganate or. Metal etching is a timehonoured method of engraving metal. Ferric chloride is a traditional homeuse circuit board etchant. Fill the plastic lid with water, and slowly add the ferric chloride powder. Download safety data sheet this item cannot be shipped to po boxes. After etching the fecl3 becomes a mixture of fecl3 unused etchant, feo rust, and cucl2 copper ii chloride. Its a revolution in how to make pcb s better, faster and less costly.
The msds for ferric chloride etchant from mg chemicals says 40%. Then i found this post about cheap home pcb etching with vinegar, and i thought i should definitely try it. Technical hut ferric ferrous chloride fecl3 pcb etching agent for diy pcb making at share. Here is a way to make ferric chloride that is used for etching steel by blacksmiths. Part number 2761535 contents ferric chloride net contents 16 fl oz. I previously used ferric chloride but after using it to make one pcb i had to dispose it off. We are available on email only for all your queries. If one were to use a mask that was slightly soluble in the etchant, say those who use ink jet printers and bake the image before etching, the length of time exposed to the aqueous etchant, not the concentration of ferric chloride or persulfate, may be more important for controlling selectivity. Here, i need to assume few things before you start comparing the information with your pcb. Mar 24, 20 prepare pcb with resist draw with permanent marker, toner transfer, tape, uv resist whatever takes your fancy, pour ferric chloride solution into a plastic container, put in pcb, leave until the copper has dissolved where there is no resist, remove, rinse and dry. Make ferric chloride for etching printed circuit boards. Etching speed will depend on concentration, temperature, and agitation.
Bps ferric chloride is a ready made solution, no need to add any catalyst, filtration etc. Ferric chloride etching for pcbs pcb manufacture uk. Btw, 40% by weight ferric chloride is almost saturated. Etching a printed circuit boards pcb at home is a need that every electronic. Ferric chloride why is it so effective for photo etching.
Better yet, our new etchant will turn an eerie green color rather than the dull. I prepared my solution from a large jug of caked ferric chloride by adding water and letting it sit with occasional stirring for a week so so. Ferric chloride pcb etching solution 4 ounces walmart. When the etching is finished squeeze out the sponge and throw it in the trash. High temperature ferric chloride etching an evaluation of the process randy markle. Ingredients % twaev tlv mgm3 ld50 oral mgkg skin lc50 ppm inhalation ferric chloride 3742% 1 as fe 440 not known not known. However, once youve etched a board with it, youre left with a solution with a bunch of cop. Return the remaining etchant in the tray to your supply. Pcb etching tutorial with ferric chloride hackster. We dont know when or if this item will be back in stock.
Ferric chloride processing chemical for etching in pellets. First, a resist is applied using either a sharpie or the toner transfer method. You can use concentrated nitric acid to remove the tin. I read a couple of tutorials about making pcbs and have gathered all the things to make it. The item for sale is 4 ounces of ferric chloride fecl3 anhydrous.
But ive never heard of anyone going to all that effort. Mix this powder with warm water and your etching solutions is ready. In this video, i have shown you how to make a circuit board using plain single side copper pcb with etching ferric chloride acid which is very simple and easy method. High corrosive chemical, caution harmful to skin and eyes. Before getting into the etching procedure, will give you some notes. How i make ferric chloride etchant ingredients that i use. Hey, i am about to make my third pcb and a friend proposed me to look for the hydrogen per oxide chemical for etching rather than going for the ferric chloride one.
How to make a printed circuit board pcb using ferric. Copper etching with cupric chloride and regeneration of waste. I have heard that ferric chloride can be used for this. Luckily, we can whip up our own etchant at home with everyday chemicals. However, last two decades, new etchants have been introduced for copper etching. Anodic etching has been used in industrial processes for over a century. Oct 30, 2014 when i am etching any kind of stainless steel damascus its time to use mix a batch of ferric chloride out in the shop because stales will laugh at vinegar as an etchent. We dont make a dime off it because were here to share information to help you work more efficiently with our techniques and products. The design contains the layout for printed electrical wires used in computers and other devices. Submerge the blade in the acid mixture, and let sit for a few minutes. It will go faster if you warm the solution to 3040 o c andor agitate the board. Superiority of bps bps ferric chloride is a ready made solution, no need to add any catalyst, filtration etc. We are offering ferric chloride anhydrous fecl3 for pcb etching to our clients. Posted in chemistry hackstagged etchant, ferric chloride, h2o2, pcb, pcb etchant.
Remember, the etching process actually involves oxidation of the copper, so more agitation and exposure to air helps. Mg chemicals ferric chloride is a ready to use copper etchant solution for printed circuit board and photoengraving processes. You need hydrochloric acid muriatic or pool acid and steel wool. Copper etching is the main process in the printed circuit board pcb manufacturing for electronics application. This is a 4ounce plastic jar of liquid ferric chloride.
Ingestion may cause rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, shock, and possible coma. Mg chemicals ferric chloride copper etchant solution, 4l liquid bottle. Besides ferric chloride what do i add to make the etching solution and what is the ratio of the ingredients. When i am etching any kind of stainless steel damascus its time to use mix a batch of ferric chloride out in the shop because stales will laugh at vinegar as an etchent. At 70c using spray etching 1oz copper is removed in a little under a minute, normal etching temperature is more likely to be 45c.
Carefully pour solution into plastic or pyrex dish some folks also use a pvc pipe that has been sealed on one end as a container for etching. How to make pcb etch solution using anhydrous ferric chloride. But i was somewhat concerned about using toxic, corrosive, skinburning acids like muriatic or environmentally problematic etchants like ferric chloride at home. Generally printer driver properties allow to set the toner density. A gallon of feclwater mix, eqauling the strength of 3.
Its best to use iron thats rusting, that indicates it. Pcb etchant solutions engineering technical pcbway. Techshopjim posted a method that uses a sponge to reduce the amount of etchant used while speeding up the entire process. I know its reusable for at least a few etches though the kit doesnt actually specify an estimated reuse count but after that ill need to dispose of the used chemical. Hey guys, thanks for helping to answer my questions in the past. You can dispose of used ferric chloride by mixing it with sodium carbonate or bicarbonate and you will get a sludge of copper carbonate powder and a solution of sodium chloride salt. Compared to other etching chemicals like hydrated iron iii chloride fecl3. An old favorite, also very good at staining fingers, clothing, etc brown. A simple, rapid, and accurate method has been developed for determining total iron, ferrous iron, copper and free acid in ferric chloride etchant.
Drop the etched circuit board into the bowl of water to stop the etching action. Its that copper ii chloride thats the problem you cant just tip it down the drain. The normal ferric chloride solution works well, but can be expensive and leaves permanent stains. Etching pcb is to use the materials of chemical reactions or physical impact of technologies that are removed.
Theoretically it should be possible to etch slightly more than 60 grams of copper with 1 liter etching solution. I actually use an etchant called edinburgh etch which adds a solution of citric acid to the ferric chloride. While there are a number of possible etchants, none is more commonly used than ferric chloride because it has such a wide ranging array of benefits to providers in the field. How to make pcb etch solution using anhydrous ferric chloride powder. The very first step of the etching process is designing the circuit, using the software of your choice.
One small pint of ferric chloride will last you through dozens of boards. Etching a printed circuit board generally takes a bit of time and uses a lot of etchant. Buy ferric chloride pcb etching solution 4 ounces at. This results in a sludge of ferric hydroxide which is allowed to settle before pouring off the liquid and adding the precipitate to 1 litre of the stock solution. Jul, 2009 etch pcbs with ferric chloride and a sponge. To make a powerful etching solution for printed circuit boards, add 4 ounces of ferric chloride to 1 liter of distilled water. The ink receives impressions like traditional soft ground, resists the ferric chloride etchant, yet can be cleaned up with warm water and either soda ash solution or ammonia.
I read the procedure for the hydrogen per oxide one but in the comments i read that it too does not last for long but can be reused. The exposed copper left on the board must be removed by use of an etching material, or etchant, such as ferric chloride, a yellow orange dark salt. Other possible causes are too high concentration of development solution. I just mix a small amount and dump it after but you can save in a clean glass jar, put plastice wrap over the top to protect the lid. Etch pcbs with ferric chloride and a sponge hackaday. Ironiii chloride is the inorganic compound with the formula fe cl 3.
Nov 15, 2012 we make ferric chloride, a wellknown etchant for printed circuit boards. Iron perchloride ferric chloride is dissolved in water to make copper etching solution. Once an etching cycle using ferric chloride has been initiated the third method is probably easier. Jan 03, 2012 i have tried it, but keep coming back to regular ferric chloride or its cousin, cupric chloride. Heres how i make ferric chloride etchant do it yourself. A mask is placed over the metal, with areas cut out. How to create a pcb etchant that automatically improves after. You gotta get rid of that copper from solution before you can dispose of the rest of it. Pcb etching process is carried out to get rid of the excessive copper.
A better way to do it is to heat the ferric chloride a little bit during the etching process. This solution has been quite helpful in removing the copper out from under the gold plating on circuit board fingers. The amount of ferric chloride you add depends on the amount of water youve taken. The developed pcb is etched with a 220 gl solution of ammonium peroxydisulfate nh 4 2 s 2 o 8 a. Due to covid19 situation shipping and delivery services will be affected. Historically, the first etchant in pcb fabrication was ferric chloride fecl 3 and it is still used as an etchant for small scale production lines. In the chemical etching, halide ions act as a ligand to reduce the electron potential of the gold species, which enables ferric ions to oxidize the gold nanorods and results in the etching of the gold nanorods. This is the reason why cupric chloride is one of two main etchants widely used by pcb fabricators.
Of the several types of etchant chemistries the hobbyist can choose, acid cupric chloride also called acid copperii chloride or just cupric chloride is one of the more interesting types, since it has the ability to be regenerated, or replenished, without having to throw away the solution. Your email address will never be sold or distributed. Ive just got hold of a nice little pcb etching kit, which uses ferric chloride as the etchant. About etching with ferric chloride fecl3 pcb heaven. Currently purchasing the required kit to start etching my own boards and have gotten to the etching solution stage. I use one part of ferric chloride to 4 parts water. The anhydrous compound is a crystalline solid with a melting point of 307. Mix ferric chloride with distilled water one part water, two parts acid ormix 60% ferric chloride and 40% white vinegar.
Follow with a good water rinse after etching is complete. If you are etching multiple boards, you can rinse out the sponge, squeeze out most of the water, then reapply ferric chloride solution if desired, but i have found that i can etch two 2 x 3 boards with one application. You can pour the solution down the drain and throw the sludge in the garbage. Herein we report a chemical etching reaction of the gold nanorods induced by ferric chloride at room temperature. Should i just put this blade in a bowl, and pour out a little liquor to my.