Which solution is used for PCB etching process?

At one time or another, PCB manufacturing processes use solvents such as ferric chloride, cupric chloride, ammoniacal etchant, sulfuric acid + hydrogen peroxide, sulphuric and chromic acid, cupric chloride, alkaline etching, and copper ammonia complex ion as etching fluids.

What chemical is used for PCB etching?

Cupric chloride etching Cupric chloride is the most widely used etchant since it accurately etches off smaller features. The cupric chloride process also provides a constant etch rate and continuous regeneration, comparatively at a lower cost.

What acid is used to etch circuit boards?

Simply mix 2 parts Hydrogen Peroxide with 1 part Hydrochloric Acid and you get the basis of your etchant. The Hydrogen Peroxide comes from the chemists (yes, that’s right, the stuff people use to make their hair blonde). The Hydrochloric Acid comes from the hardware store (in the brick cleaning section).

What is etching fluid?

Etching is traditionally the process of using strong acid or mordant to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design in intaglio (incised) in the metal. The plate is then dipped in a bath of acid, known as the mordant (French for “biting”) or etchant, or has acid washed over it.

How do you etch a PCB with ferric chloride?

Open the bottle of ferric chloride and put the sponge over the opening, and tip the bottle to let about a tablespoon or so of solution saturate into the sponge. Now with the circuit board in the palm of one hand, simply wipe the solution-saturated sponge over the surface of the board over and over.

What can I use instead of ferric chloride?

The short version is:

• Equal parts vinegar and peroxide.
• A small heap of salt.
• Your masked copper board/soon-to-be PCB.
• Optionally, a little heat to speed things up.

What are the types of etching?

In general, there are two classes of etching processes:

• Wet etching where the material is dissolved when immersed in a chemical solution.
• Dry etching where the material is sputtered or dissolved using reactive ions or a vapor phase etchant.

Why ferric chloride is used in PCB etching?

Ferric chloride, or FeCl3, a mixture of one part iron and three parts chloride, can be obtained in either liquid or powder form. For the purpose of etching a PCB it must be in liquid form, so the powder has to be mixed to create a liquid. Ferric chloride, when heated to decomposition, gives off toxic fumes.

How do you etch a PCB?

Dissolve 2-3 teaspoons of ferric chloride power in the water. Dip the PCB into the etching solution (Ferric chloride solution, FeCl3) for approximately 30 mins. The FeCl3 reacts with the unmasked copper and removes the unwanted copper from the PCB. This process is called Etching.

What acid is used for etching?

hydrochloric acid
There are various acids commonly available that can be used to etch steel and stainless steel including hydrochloric acid, nitric acid or sulfuric acid.