hi every one, i have ferric chloride etchant solution to prepare from 2.5kg of hexahydrate grannule. i tried experimenting with little quantities mixture of water and the hexahydrate grannule in ratio 2 to 1 respectively. then i dip copper board into it and after 4hrs etching had not started. please what is the best way to prepare ferric chloride etchant solution

 

Should have worked. How clean was the copper? Temperature of the solution sometimes effects etching time. Usually takes about 15 minutes, but sometimes during the winter months it takes 30 minutes or so. Four hours, and nothing, bad chemicals, maybe something in the water. Really can't say, its not complicated to add power to the water, concentration isn't critical.

 

I warm my Ferric solution in the microwave oven to shorten etch time...10 second bursts is all it take to warm it sufficiently,works great!

Of course having a dedicated tank with an inbuilt heater would be the best solution( no pun intended).

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Curious ..? - usually you take 250 grams of pellets and add enough warm water to make up 500ml of solution - stiring well to get a good mix.

It should etch well in 15-20 mins at room temperature say 20c, but it is better if warmed to 35 -40 c.

Either you have got the mix totally wrong or as I suspect you have got your board covered with some type of etch resist or a protective cover.

Normally a piece of bare copper will turn a pink / purple colour withing 10 seconds as the etching process begins.

If you still have problems come back with details of the pellets and copper board you are using - photos would help.

 

thanks to you my ferric chloride solution is now etching well. its good to know that noting would be difficult for me to achieve with you guys around.