5pcb

Step 3 Etch

You're almost done. Put the gloves on, pour some etchant in a plastic or glass container and immerse the board. At room temperature, it can take up to half an hour. Mixing the solution as it's etching can speed up the process. Another good way to dramatically decrease the etching time is to warm up the solution. Now I strongly discourage you to get creative with the microwave or your precious pots and pans. You can however dip the container in warm water poured from the tap. When it looks good, clean the board in running water.

Comments

[zohair]

I've experimented with dilute HCl and a bit of H2o2. The HCl is sold as "drain cleaner" over here and H2o2 is available as hydrogen peroxide at any chemist. Both of which can be purchased at a local general goods store. :)

[Derin]

H202 can also be found in a pharmacy.

[offlogic]

1 part HCl + 2 parts H2O2 = "PCB Cocktail"!!!!

I keep looking for the downside to it, but it doesn't stain the sink, doesn't turn your fingers brown... what's not to love?

May smell a little funky when the acid is opened, but otherwise ferri-chloride can just go play with itself.

[jaredforshey]

I second the HCl and H2O2 mention. I purchase "Muriatic Acid" from the hardware store in a gallon jug for around 8 bucks. It's used to clean masonry, and it's basically dilute HCl. 2 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part muriatic acid. Get this backwards and you won't get very far into your etching! You can't do this one inside; the fumes can be bad. You don't need to heat this solution like people do with other mixtures; it gets quite warm all by itself! It takes under 5 minutes to fully etch a 3 inch square piece from a 1 ounce, one-sided copper clad board.