These Fine Etch Crystals produce a cleaner etchant solution, that is superior to the standard Ferric Chloride commonly used for etching copper printed circuit boards.
It causes less under-etching than Ferric Chloride and can produce cleaner structures and finer detail. Etching time is slightly longer than with Ferric Chloride, however, the solution remains clear during etching, turning a transparent blue, so the etching progress can still be easily monitored and the solution does not crystallise.
This Sodium Persulphate etchant eliminates the staining and mess caused by traditional etchants. The mixed solution remains odourless and any splashes or drips can be wiped away with a damp cloth, preventing staining.
Di-Sodium Peroxodisulphate Hexahydrate
Completely odourless
Remains clear
Does not crystallise out
Achieves satisfactory etching in 6 to 8 minutes at 45 to 50°C
Supplied in a pack of approx. 400g in crystal form, to produce approx. 2 litres of working solution
Q. If it can be re used, what is the shelf life of the mixed liquid as I often have long periods between etching board's? And how do we dispose of the used chemicals?
A. Hi Robert, thank you for your question. The manufacturer does not appear to specify in the data sheet Your local council should be able to advise on waste chemical disposal. Alternatively contact the manufacturer using the details at the bottom of the data sheet.
Q. 34-0392 will this make 2000ml of pcb etchant solution? Trying to keep my costs down, radio shack do it already bottled but is 3x as expensive as this if it is the same product.
Thank you.
A. Thanks for your enquiry Mark. Yes this product will make 2 litres of PCB etchant solution.
Reviews
Does the job without the mess
Reviewed by: Mr Scott Britchford - 07 January 2016
When I started making my own boards for quick prototypes, I originally used ferric chloride. Whilst it etches, it leaves one hell of a mess so I tried this stuff. It's almost odourless (very faint odour of what smells a bit like bleach), colourless, doesn't stain, and its clarity means you can see when your board is done. It turns a nice pale blue as you etch until it gets to a sea-blue when I suspect it is saturated with copper and etching becomes painfully slow. Totally worth the price because if you're making lots of boards and need to save money, its cheaper to get them made professionally - but if you only make a few boards at a time this is the stuff to use. 5mil traces are achievable and it doesn't seem to etch under the etching mask.
