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Registered Member #1225
Joined: Sat Jan 12 2008, 01:24AM
Location: Beaumont, Texas, USA
Posts: 2253
I made some etchant yesterday, with 2 parts hydrogen peroxide, one part 30% muriatic acid. I etched a board in 2 minutes yesterday, and the etchant was barely green afterward, as the board was less than 1x1".
I stored it in a glass jar. I currently have a board in there, maaybe 2x2", and i have been etching it for an hour! And still, there is plenty of copper on the board, and the etchant is still not dark green. I added some more muriatic acid, and that did not help. It is taking so long the etchant resist (sharpie marker, this is just a design so the conductivity is not important) is developing a lot of bad spots. More of the resist is gone than copper...
Registered Member #193
Joined: Fri Feb 17 2006, 07:04AM
Location: sheffield
Posts: 1022
Hydrogen peroxide isn't stable, It's even less stable when you add things like copper to it. You are lucky that the oxygen formed by decomposition didn't burst the container.
Registered Member #1225
Joined: Sat Jan 12 2008, 01:24AM
Location: Beaumont, Texas, USA
Posts: 2253
Well, i do not keep the container covered when i etch, unless i decided to shake it hard enough that it could splash, and even then i took the lid off.
This cupric chloride was supposed to last for quite awhile, and every once in awhile you should add a bit more acid and H2O2. I added more acid, which changed nothing, but i had not H2O2. I shall try that...
I left this piece of copper in here for 24 hours now, and all that has changed is the wire is coated with copper oxides.
I am using more than 500ml. It is a 1.5 liter jar, and it is a little less than half full. Or half empty. I am feeling rather optimistic ATM so, half full.
Edit: I put about 60ml more H2O2 and put in another board and left it over night. It did take all the copper off as well as eat the 24 gauge tinned wire down to nothing but cupric chloride . If i have to add that much H2O2 every etch, it is not worth it :/.
Registered Member #193
Joined: Fri Feb 17 2006, 07:04AM
Location: sheffield
Posts: 1022
Cupric chloride is bright green ( yellowish in very strong solutions). When you say "the etchant was barely green afterward" you tell us that you don't have cupric chloride. Since it's not present, it's not a good etchant.
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What is wrong with my cupric chloride?
