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Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: PA3040 on May 11, 2019, 02:40:30 AM

Title: Copper remover by Grade 6 and 7 Students
Post by: PA3040 on May 11, 2019, 02:40:30 AM

Hi All
Have a Nice day

We are teaching electronics for students
To make PCB we need to remove the copper layer of the PCB

To remove copper we suppose to use
1. Hydrogen Peroxide - Two Part
2. Hydrochloric Acis - one part

The above chemicals are using by grade 6 and 7 students 

Please advice that the above chemicals can be  recommended for grade 6 and 7 students or any other alternative chemicals except ferric chloride

Thanks in advanced
 

Title: Re: Copper remover by Grade 6 and 7 Students
Post by: jeffmoonchop on May 11, 2019, 02:52:00 PM

Pretty hazardous materials and reaction there. May need 1 on 1 supervision in a fume hood. May not be worth the risk.

Title: Re: Copper remover by Grade 6 and 7 Students
Post by: Enthalpy on May 13, 2019, 11:53:10 AM

Welcome, PA3040!

I wonder what students shall learn from PCB etching if they use such exotic and dangerous things as hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid. Astounding choice for me.

I know no drawback to iron (III) chloride except the nasty stains and the opacity. That's the etchant everyone uses, whether hobbyist or industry (electrical engineering is my technology mothertongue and first profession)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron(III)_chloride
Why search for anything else?

Meanwhile we have also ammonium persulfate
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_persulfate
http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/2614581.pdf
provide it to the students as a solution in water, so no dust flies. Risk of asthma and allergies reported.