Elementary PCB etching?

Question

Hi,

I'm etching a very simple pattern onto a PCB with some ferric chloride I had lying around.

My question is: if I cover with permanent marker the areas that I don't want the copper to be removed, and then spread some ferric chloride over the board, will the ferric chloride take the copper off the areas without pen on, but leave the areas protected by the pen untouched? I could then take the pen of with some isopropanol or similar.

Will this work or do I need a better way of protecting the areas I do not want to remove the copper from?

Many thanks,

Froskoy.

Martin · Accepted Answer

I should be possible with a permanent marker. I myself used to do it in the past, but special pens exist for that purpose.

Just make sure that you clean the copper, no dirt or fingerprints. Use steel wool og wet sandpaper.
Submerge the pcb in the ferric chloride in a plastic container. Tip the container a few times so that fresh ferric chloride cover the pcb. It should take about 15-30 min.

Elementary PCB etching?

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