hugoender
New Member
I would like to form a compilation of PCB etching methods along with the pros, cons, materials, speed (time to etch), complexity factor of each method, etc.
There are a couple of RF circuits I want to create that require me to use a PCB (due to the high frequencies) and because of this I have been forced to start looking into etching solutions. Now mind you, for me the best etching solution would be the one that is cheapest, requires the least amount of materials, and is the least dangerous (in that order
).
If people could start posting the etching method they are familiar with along with the abovementioned characteristics for the method mentioned, this thread could serve as a great reference to those looking to enter the world of pcb etching.
In order to make this thread somewhat coherent, I will include an example template which you guys can use to post your etchant of choice:
Etchant: (etchant name here, i.e. Ferric Chloride)
Price: (rating of price; $$$$-Expensive, $-Cheap)
Danger Level: (rating of how easy it is for a newbie to hurt themselves using this method; XXXX-Dangerous, X-Not Dangerous)
Time: (approximately how long it takes to etch and what can be done to speed up the process)
Regenerative (Y/N): (whether the chemical etchant can be reused after an etch and if so, the degree of reusability, or how many times can one bath of etchant be used before it does not etch)
Materials: (list of chemicals or materials needed in order to etch)
Description: (brief description of what it is and how it works)
Procedure: (rough outline of the procedure to etch with this etching method)
There are a couple of RF circuits I want to create that require me to use a PCB (due to the high frequencies) and because of this I have been forced to start looking into etching solutions. Now mind you, for me the best etching solution would be the one that is cheapest, requires the least amount of materials, and is the least dangerous (in that order
If people could start posting the etching method they are familiar with along with the abovementioned characteristics for the method mentioned, this thread could serve as a great reference to those looking to enter the world of pcb etching.
In order to make this thread somewhat coherent, I will include an example template which you guys can use to post your etchant of choice:
Etchant: (etchant name here, i.e. Ferric Chloride)
Price: (rating of price; $$$$-Expensive, $-Cheap)
Danger Level: (rating of how easy it is for a newbie to hurt themselves using this method; XXXX-Dangerous, X-Not Dangerous)
Time: (approximately how long it takes to etch and what can be done to speed up the process)
Regenerative (Y/N): (whether the chemical etchant can be reused after an etch and if so, the degree of reusability, or how many times can one bath of etchant be used before it does not etch)
Materials: (list of chemicals or materials needed in order to etch)
Description: (brief description of what it is and how it works)
Procedure: (rough outline of the procedure to etch with this etching method)