Ferric Chloride

Walt2 · Sep 30, 2004

I went by a local Radio Shack and they never heard of Ferric Chloride and couldn't find it in their computer. I have seen where someone said that vinegar or a lime would do the same thing. How long do you leave the blade in the vinegar? I have some 01 that I am considering doing this on when I get some blades ground, and if that works ok I have some 3V ordered that I will use this method on also.

peter nap · Sep 30, 2004

Ask them for the stuff to etch circuit boards. Yes Vinegar will work fine.

toddhill · Sep 30, 2004

I just bought some there a few days ago. It was a little over $4. In a round tall bottle. Brown liquid. It was in the back of the store high on the top shelf. I didn't need to ask for help since I was able to find it fairly quickly. Good luck.

toddhill · Sep 30, 2004

I'm not completely sure on the time for leaving a blade in vinegar, but I would say probably about 3 hours. I left one in for longer and it caused some slight pitting.

Mike Hull · Sep 30, 2004

It's called PCB Etchant on the bottle. You will probably have to find it for yourself. I don't have much faith in RS employees.

Walt2 · Sep 30, 2004

Thanks for the replies. There is not a Radio Shack close by so it will be awhile before I look again. I may just try vinegar if I can figure out how long to use it without pitting.

Wild Rose · Sep 30, 2004

http://www.secure.sciencecompany.com/thesciencecompany/product1.cfm?SID=1&Product_ID=601

You can order Ferric Chloride from the folks above - comes in crystal form - just add distilled water - try a 10/1 water crystal mix - if not strong enough add some more crystals. 100g of crystal will last a long time.

AwP · Oct 1, 2004

With vinager there's little danger of overetching, especially if you use it cold. If you heat it to almost boiling you should check it every twenty minutes or so and clean off the oxides since they act as a resist a little. With room temperature vinager I usually put it in when I go to bed and check it when I get up, then I'll usually end up putting it back in for another round.

toddhill · Oct 1, 2004

I put a blade in room temp. white vinegar when I went to bed. Got it out the next morning and there were little clusters of small pits on the blade. The level of pitting probably depends on some variables--type of steel, level of hardness, etc. I would just experiment checking it every few hours--if done at room temp.