Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Solder removal from PC boards

May 13, 2010

I'm disabled & am going to try gold recovery for a small income. I have about 500 pounds of high quality PC & cell phone boards, 15 pounds of processors & 10 pounds of very old memory boards. I believe I have all the info on how to recover precious metals. I fully understand the drawbacks and am able to use the acids properly. What I need to know how to remove bulk solder from PC Boards so that I can get the gold pins, IC's and other components. I read somewhere that Sodium Nitrate works, it didn't. From all of the posts I've been reading there must be a lot of people with this problem. Please can I get some advice.

Paul Rouleau

Solder strippers are more environmentally friendly these days. Some years ago I used to use dilute nitric acid with an inhibitor. This was in a captive plating facility with proper fume hoods, good rinsing, and a waste treatment dept. With all that said, it was still a nasty process. I hope you have the proper place to do the stripping and rinsing. Most solders contain some lead. Depending on when the boards were made they could contain as much as 40% lead. What will you do with the spent stripping solution and the rinsewater that you use? None of this can be done in your home or you are asking for a hefty fine.

Mark Baker
process engineer - Malone, New York
May 19, 2010

I purchased a DVD showing gold extraction from processors & decided you're, I shouldn't try it. I know there are some means to remove bulk PC boards without using acid but I can't find it. I still would like some help. Thanks

Paul Rouleau
scrapper - Polk City, Florida
October 29, 2010