Regeneration of Etchants
October 1981
Paul M. Wible, DEA Equipment Division of Philip A. Hunt Chemical Corporation
Presented at the June 1981 PCMI Meeting by Mark A Rei, DEA Equipment Division of Philip A. Hunt Chemical Corporation
As the cost of etching continues to rise, regeneration of the etchant becomes more and more attractive. This
paper will discuss the advantages of regeneration when etching many types of metals and alloys including the
saving of time, and chemicals. workspace and monetary costs.
Some general advantages of regeneration are:
I. Reduced cost.
2. Practically no downtime for emptying and cleaning out of equipment.
3. Steady etch rate.
4. Less spent etchant to dispose of, yet it is more in demand.
a. Unregenerated Ferric chloride will hold only about 1/2 lb. of copper per gallon.
b. Regenerated cupric chloride will hold 1 1/4 lb. of copper per gallon.
c. Unregenerated ferric chloride (42″ Be’) will hold approximately 1/2 lb. of iron per gallon, while regenerated ferric chloride will hold approximatcly 2 lb.
d. Unregenefatcd ferric chloride, 20 Be’, will hold approximately 3 oz. of aluminum per gallon. while in the regenerated state it will hold 6-7 oz. per gallon.