Board Etching
makerBoard etching is a subtractive manufacturing process used to create circuit patterns on a copper-clad board by removing unwanted copper.
expanded
In printed circuit board (PCB) fabrication, board etching is a critical step where chemical solutions are used to selectively remove copper from specific areas of a copper-clad laminate to form conductive tracks. This process is essential for the production of customized PCBs, which are foundational in the creation of electronic circuits, enabling various components to be interconnected.
examples
Using ferric chloride, a common etchant, to remove copper from a 1.6 mm (0.063 inch) thick FR4 substrate PCB, achieving trace widths of 0.2 mm (0.008 inch).
Commonly used during prototyping and small-scale PCB fabrication to iterate designs quickly and cost-effectively.
Utilizing sodium persulfate in the immersion etching of a 2-layer, 0.5 oz (17 µm) copper-clad PCB to facilitate rapid pattern development.
Frequently employed in educational settings and maker spaces for teaching circuits and electronics assembly.