Like making circuit boards, but don’t like all of the toxic chemicals that you have to use to do it? You might want to take a look at Stephen Hobley’s directions, then. He’s claiming to be able to etch boards using only diluted hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and a bit of table salt.
He’s got an analysis of the chemical reaction on his site, and mentions that the byproduct is probably toxic, so you should probably be careful about handling and disposing of the stuff.
More:
- Make: Online » Circuit Skills: Circuit Board Etching, sponsored by Jameco
- Make: Online » Salt and vinegar circuit etching
- Make: Online » Laser cutting circuit boards
- Make: Online » Printing circuit boards lecture @ 27C3
- Make: Online » Etching a portrait into a PCB
- Make: Online » The 5-minute circuit board agitator, or, making temporary tools
8 thoughts on “Etch circuit boards with common household chemicals”
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Sweet! No need to get out my muratic acid…. just need a project :)
We just had a post about etching an audio panel. This post referred to a system for etching brass. That system worked, because the solution etched copper and zinc. It also leaves behind toxic waste that needs to be properly disposed. What are the chances that this would work on brass? Any one have a thought?
This would only clean brass. I have used Vinegar and Peroxide as a way to clean brass when taking a metal smithing class. Even if you leave brass (Red, Yellow or otherwise) in the solution over night it wont make a dent in it, it will just clean the tarnish off of it. I do think that it is interesting that this can be used as a way to etch copper. I can defiantly think of a few art pieces to make with this.
I use citric acid instead of vinegar. (I think vinegar have bad smell)
In Japan, you can buy citric asid (500g/100yen) in “100yen shop”
(Japanese popular shop chain which sells each items at 100 yen).
If you etch so much.You also needs aluminum for waste liquid treatment (in japanese law).
Here is my recipe http://d.hatena.ne.jp/akira_you/20110116 (japanese)