Increasing copper/silver layer on PCBs - chemicals advice appreciated.
Increasing copper/silver layer on PCBs - chemicals advice appreciated.
(OP)
Hello All,
I hope this is the right forum to post this question ... Otherwise please feel welcome to move the thread.
As it is I have a need for increasing the copper layer on electronic PCBs and would like to know how to do this. I know it can be done by adding a DC voltage to a "bath" of some kind - where the PCB copper is one of the electrodes and there's another electrode as well. However, since this is not my normal field of work, I'd appreciate if one/more of you can help by clarifying which chemicals are needed - and possibly how this process works. I'd be grateful if there may even be a link(s) to a practical setup for how this can be made to work.
Also, I may have a need to add a layer of silver onto the copper as well. For this task I've previously had very fine help from a Gold Smith I know, however, the "bath" he uses somehow does not allow for the silver to adhere very well onto the copper. It peels off when scraped ... Might there be a way to do this in a way where the silver remains fixed onto the copper (and without any intermediate materials like e.g. nickel)?
Cheers & thanks for any help
Jesper
I hope this is the right forum to post this question ... Otherwise please feel welcome to move the thread.
As it is I have a need for increasing the copper layer on electronic PCBs and would like to know how to do this. I know it can be done by adding a DC voltage to a "bath" of some kind - where the PCB copper is one of the electrodes and there's another electrode as well. However, since this is not my normal field of work, I'd appreciate if one/more of you can help by clarifying which chemicals are needed - and possibly how this process works. I'd be grateful if there may even be a link(s) to a practical setup for how this can be made to work.
Also, I may have a need to add a layer of silver onto the copper as well. For this task I've previously had very fine help from a Gold Smith I know, however, the "bath" he uses somehow does not allow for the silver to adhere very well onto the copper. It peels off when scraped ... Might there be a way to do this in a way where the silver remains fixed onto the copper (and without any intermediate materials like e.g. nickel)?
Cheers & thanks for any help

Jesper





RE: Increasing copper/silver layer on PCBs - chemicals advice appreciated.
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RE: Increasing copper/silver layer on PCBs - chemicals advice appreciated.
Best regards,
Jesper
RE: Increasing copper/silver layer on PCBs - chemicals advice appreciated.
As for the copper, you probably should be looking for an electroless copper plating. You could, and should, consult with companies like MacDermid, who would supply the chemicals involved: http://electronics.macdermid.com/documents/resourc...
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RE: Increasing copper/silver layer on PCBs - chemicals advice appreciated.
I have no doubt that we do - & also the disposal process is being very tightly observed and regulated. However, in this context I'm a private person and so (I assume) there's no official processes or guidelines that I have to adhere to - so less paperwork etc. That said, should I decide to continue with this, I at least will follow official guidelines as to handling & disposal of any chemicals etc. Nature is precious ...
Thanks again,
Jesper
RE: Increasing copper/silver layer on PCBs - chemicals advice appreciated.
TTFN
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Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
Of course I can. I can do anything. I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!
There is a homework forum hosted by engineering.com: http://www.engineering.com/AskForum/aff/32.aspx
RE: Increasing copper/silver layer on PCBs - chemicals advice appreciated.
Why do you believe you need more copper? How thick do you want to go?
Z
RE: Increasing copper/silver layer on PCBs - chemicals advice appreciated.
Thank you both for considering & replying. However, I'm somewhat trying to push the boundaries of what is normally done and also do it in a way that is economically feasible. To that end I've already searched various PCB prototyping manufacturers and the solution I'm looking for will (from my perspective) cost quite some. So I'm looking for other solutions ... and I might just have found one yesterday.
Thanks for noticing this but I'm aware of it.
As I mentioned above I may now have a solution - so for now no need to reply further. Thanks again
Jesper