Grok.com: "What is the best website for metal finishing questions and answers?"

finishing.com -- The Home Page of the Finishing Industry

-----

Metallic resist for cupric chloride etchant?

We are a flexible printed circuit manufacturer and use a Cupric Chloride (acid based) etchant. While this is fine for a photoresist process, I would like to know if anyone has experience using any metallic platings as an etch resist ? Someone suggested a tin-nickel plate, does that work? It is my experience that this etchant will etch nickel, tin, tin lead.. etc. Any experience or suggestions?

Richard Breslin
- Lowell, Massachusetts

--
Ed. note: You may want to hear "The Lost Art of Tin-Nickel Plating".

I would think that something along the lines of gold would work.

James Totter, CEF
- Tallahassee, Florida

I know those who have used gold successfully as a resist in cupric etching processes. You must control carefully because you can undercut the nickel and cause gold slivers.

Scott Campbell
- Tempe, Arizona, USA

You will find that gold works well, We usually use about 1 micron of hard gold with no nickel.

John Yarno
- Snoqualmie, Washington

(No "dead threads" here! If this page isn't currently on the Hotline your Q, A, or Comment will restore it)

Q, A, or Comment on THIS thread -or- Start a NEW Thread

Disclaimer: It's not possible to fully diagnose a finishing problem or the hazards of an operation via these pages. All information presented is for general reference and does not represent a professional opinion nor the policy of an author's employer. The internet is largely anonymous & unvetted; some names may be fictitious and some recommendations might be harmful.

If you are seeking a product or service related to metal finishing, please check these Directories: