The AM Forum

THE AM BULLETIN BOARD => Technical Forum => Topic started by: WU8V on July 09, 2008, 12:15:32 PM



Title: Using Ammonium persulfate as etchant
Post by: WU8V on July 09, 2008, 12:15:32 PM
Does anyone have any experience with this stuff?

I came across a quantity in the estate of a SK. It is stored dry in a stamdard size mayo jar and sealed well.

There are no directions with it however, and I don't know how much to use to etch the boards that I want to try.

I am talking small boards here, if it makes a difference. I am not ready for the major project type stuff that some of you guys are into.

can anyone email me a copy of the directions that they might have, or let me in on information from personal experience? I would appreciate it.

Please PM or e-mail  "mycall"@gmarc.org

thanks and 73
Kurt   WU8V


Title: Re: Using Ammonium persulfate as etchant
Post by: KB2WIG on July 09, 2008, 12:49:48 PM
there is some info in the older handbooks.  1 part powder to 2 parts water and add 1/4 teaspoon mercuric chloride to activate the solution... The other common etchant is Ferric chloride; no activator needed  - i've used the stuff, but its been a long time agooo.... it du work..





klc


Title: Re: Using Ammonium persulfate as etchant
Post by: WBear2GCR on July 09, 2008, 10:03:04 PM


Hmmm... mercuric chloride?

I did not know that.

I ran some here, and it worked very nicely, especially since you can see what is going on, you won't stain your clothes, hands and whatnot.

If I remember, it can be "reactivated" with the addition of some acid that precipitates out the copper chloride that is created as part of the etching process.

Doubtless this is online somewhere, easy to find these days...

                _-_-bear
AMfone - Dedicated to Amplitude Modulation on the Amateur Radio Bands