Enclosure Etching Time

[carrejans]

I'm going to etch an enclosure for the first time. I'm going to use NatriumPersulfat (SodiumPersulfat).

How many grams should I use? (about 50g ?) And how many water?

Most important question: How long do I have to etch? (without any heating) (any experiences?)

Thank you!

[danielzink]

Don't know if it'll help or not...

but I used Ferric and it took about 3 or 4 minutes (total - what with rinsing and re-dipping etc.)





Dan

[~arph]

I don't know about natrium persulfate, but I do know that amonium persulfate will NOT etch aluminium..

I'm not a chemist so I can't tell if there will be a reaction.

Regards,

Arnoud

[ambulancevoice]

no, sodium persulfate wont work on aluminium, no persulfate solution does
it can be used as a substitute for ammonium persulfate on etching zinc or copper (pcb)
id try get another chemical that has been used before by others
like FeCl3 (ferric chloride, has been used ALOT succesfully) for example
search the forum for aluminium/enclosure etching (search button above)

[carrejans]

Thank you guys, for telling me that persulfate can't be used for etching aluminium. 

Today, I bought Ferrichloride Hexahydrate. I think this will etch aluminium.

So, how many of it should I solve in water; and what would be te time to etch?

Thanks...

[ambulancevoice]

Thank you guys, for telling me that persulfate can't be used for etching aluminium. 

Today, I bought Ferrichloride Hexahydrate. I think this will etch aluminium.

So, how many of it should I solve in water; and what would be te time to etch?

Thanks...

well, i couldnt find any info on turning the FeCl3 crystals (which im assuming you got) into a solution using water
you can buy it in liquid form
anyway. here is an etching tutorial you MUST look at
http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/MarkMs-Gallery/album24/

[12bar13]

well, i couldnt find any info on turning the FeCl3 crystals (which im assuming you got) into a solution using water
you can buy it in liquid form
anyway. here is an etching tutorial you MUST look at
http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/MarkMs-Gallery/album24/

what kind of paper is he using? i've been using photo paper and i can't get a good transfer for the life of me.

[ambulancevoice]

its called Press And Peal, or PnP
its a special paper for this kinda stuff

[12bar13]

where can i buy it? is it something that typically can be found at a store or am i gonna have to order it?

[carrejans]

Thank you guys, for telling me that persulfate can't be used for etching aluminium. 

Today, I bought Ferrichloride Hexahydrate. I think this will etch aluminium.

So, how many of it should I solve in water; and what would be te time to etch?

Thanks...

well, i couldnt find any info on turning the FeCl3 crystals (which im assuming you got) into a solution using water
you can buy it in liquid form
anyway. here is an etching tutorial you MUST look at
http://www.aronnelson.com/gallery/main.php/v/MarkMs-Gallery/album24/

I already found the tutorial of MarkM; very good one. Thank you.
I will do a search on the Internet for correct measurements of the crystals and water.

[carrejans]

where can i buy it? is it something that typically can be found at a store or am i gonna have to order it?

The regular effect-supplier-shops on the net have the Press-n-Peel papers. (Banzai, SmallBear, ...)
But I heard glossy photopaper will have the same effect. But don't forget to use a laserjet (or xerox) and not an inkjet!

[12bar13]

i am having no luck with the photot paper. at least with enclosures, its can't miss with pcb's. i can't get a consistant transfers across the whole thing no matter what i do.  i'm deffinatly gonna have to order some PnP.

[carrejans]

In the meantime I have ironed the pnp on my enclosure. I notice that there are some really small air bulbs under it. Is that really bad?
The transfer wasn't perfect; so I did some pieces with a black waterproof pen. (for writing on cd's) Will this be ok?
Thanks.

[ambulancevoice]

In the meantime I have ironed the pnp on my enclosure. I notice that there are some really small air bulbs under it. Is that really bad?
The transfer wasn't perfect; so I did some pieces with a black waterproof pen. (for writing on cd's) Will this be ok?
Thanks.

those are air bubbles most likely, your supposed to (as per the tutorial) push those into the cut out areas so they dont mess with the transfer

also (as per the tutorial again) try use paint (unless they are tiny touch ups then you can use a pen) to fix up areas on the mask, ink doesn't withstand the acid as well as paint does

[Paul Perry (Frostwave)]

nail varnish is good for touchups.
Also it comes with a little brush 
Curiously enough, persulphate is one of the chemicals used to form an oxide layer on aluminium when making electrolytic caps! so I guess it won't etch your box.

[carrejans]

I don't have paint; but the missing pieces are really small.
I didn't notice the air bubbles while ironing. Will it effect the etching a lot?
@ Paul: I bought ferric.

[markm]

Air bubbles are a weak spot in the mask.
My advice would be to touch it up before dunking it into any type of etchant.

[ambulancevoice]

are you back Mark?

[oldrocker]

Hi Mark!

[frank_p]

are you back Mark?

Air bubbles are a weak spot in the mask.

He killed Zorro and came back !  What a fine shooter.