INFORMATION SHEET 1.

2-3

Procedure in PCB ETCHING

Printed Circuit Board Etching is where the excess copper is removed to

leave the individual tracks or traces as they are sometimes called. Buckets,
bubble tanks, and spray machines are tools to do different ways of etching but
most firms currently use high pressure conveyors spray equipment. Spray
etching is fast Ammoniacal etching solutions when sprayed can etch 55
microns of copper a minute. Less than 40 seconds to etch a standard 1
oz, 35 micron circuit board.

Many different chemical solutions can be used to etch circuit

boards ranging from slow controlled speed etches used for surface
preparation to the faster etches used for etching the tracks. Some are
best used in horizontal spray process equipment while others are best
used in tanks. Enchants for PTH work have to be selective and be non-
aggressive to tin / tin lead plating, which is used as the etch resists.
Copper etching is normally exothermic where high speed etching is
carried out solution cooling is normally required. This is normally done
by placing titanium water cooling coils into the enchant. Almost all
etching solutions liberate toxic corrosive fumes. Extraction is
highly recommended. All enchants are corrosive and toxic mainly due to
the high metal content. P.P.E. Personal Protection Equipment must
always be used. Spent solutions should always be disposed properly
and not to be spilled down local drains where they can pollute local
sewage works and rivers.

Printed Circuit Board Etching

It is the removal of unwanted portion or layer of conductive

materials (that is copper) bonded to an insulating base called
substrate. By using a chemical reaction to the copper called ferric
chloride, it liquefies the uncovered surfaces of the designed copper
clad board that creates a PCB.
Tools and Materials Needed In PCB Etching

1. Designed PCB
2. A bottle of the Ferric Chloride. (The quantity of bottle will
depend upon the area of the PCB).
3. Plastic Basin. It is the medium of ferric chloride
4. Popsicle sticks (2 pieces). It is used for hauling the designed PCB.
5. Old newspaper. It is placed under the plastic basin for the
prevention of accidental spill of chemical over the table.
6. Apron
7. Piece of Cloth
8. Plastic Varnish 1 bottle
9. Lacquer Thinner
10. Surgical Gloves
11. Knife or Cutter

PROCEDURE IN PCB ETCHING

1. Prepare the necessary tools and materials needed in PCB etching.
2. Wear your apron and surgical gloves in order to prevent accidental
splash of the solution on your clothes or on your skin.
3. Pour the ferric chloride in the plastic basin.

Ferric
chloride

4. Etch the PCB by immersing it in a basin filled with ferric

chloride until the uncovered part of the copper clad is totally
etched.

Immerse PCB in
plastic basin filled
with ferric chloride

5. After 10 - 15 minutes, check the PCB if all the parts needed

to be removed are totally etched (using the two Popsicle
 sticks in hauling). If not yet, return it into the plastic basin
filled with ferric chloride. After 3 - 5 minutes check it again.

6. Haul the PCB from the plastic basin and wash it in a free flowing
water to remove the remaining residue in the PCB.

PCB
Basin

7. With a clean and dry piece of cloth, wipe the wet PCB.

8. Pour a little amount of lacquer thinner on a clean dry piece of

cloth and wipe the markings of the permanent marker pen in the
copper clad. (Note: In doing this, you should wear your surgical
gloves.)

9. Aided by bright light, inspect the PCB for possible hairline break
or short. If there is a hairline path between the copper
conductors, cut it by a knife or cutter. And if there is a break
between the copper conductors, solder it.

PCB Light

10. Apply plastic varnish to the newly etched PCB to prevent corrosion
or rust, and let it dry before touching it.
 Techniques to correct PCB Hairline Break or Short

A. Hairline Break. It is an open copper foil in the Printed Circuit

Board. Most of the time this is due to improper PCB designing or
etching. To
eliminate the hairline break, just place a hook up wire and solder
it.

Hairline Break

B. Hairline Short in the PCB Conductor. It arises if the printed

circuit board designing or etching is done improperly. To eliminate
the hairline short, you should cut it with a knife.