Homebrew PCBs

Chemistry - strange stuff :-(

Yes, you are correct, it was not a failed experiment.  It just 
didn't give me the results I wanted - black. But, in reality, that 
isn't too much of a surprise - it was just a fleeting thought while 
bored :0

Thanks for the explanation though!  Chris


--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, Adam Seychell <a_seychell@...> 
wrote:
>
> Just like what drives pretty much everything in this universe, 
entropy. 
> The copper ions in solution are more electronegative than aluminum 
> metal. As a result electrons are transfered from aluminum to the 
copper 
> ions. The copper atoms become neutral (metal) and the aluminum 
atoms 
> become ions (dissolved in solution).
> 
> Why is your experiment be a failure?. You clearly determined the 
answer 
> to your question if ferric chloride can turn an aluminum surface 
black.
> 
> lcdpublishing wrote:
> > Hi guys,
> > 
> > Perhaps one of you chemistry guys knows what happened here.  
While 
> > etching a board, I got to thinking about how the Ferric Chloride 
> > stains some metals (and wood, and other things) black.  Always 
one to 
> > try things, I dipped an aluminum bar in the stuff for a few 
seconds.
> > 
> > When I pulled it out, it had what appears to be rust scale on it 
like 
> > crazy!  I assume this to be bits of Copper and not rust, but I 
was 
> > wondering if someone could explain what happened there?  I don't 
think 
> > it was electrolysis - no electricty going through the mess.
> > 
> > Yet, somehow, the copper seemed to attract to the aluminum - it 
didn't 
> > stick though.  A rinse in water removed it quickly.  The 
aluminum did 
> > turn gray in color and not black like i had hoped - so it was a 
failed 
> > experiment.  But, it sure was interesting and raised a few 
questions!
> > 
> > Chris
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
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and Photos:
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