Homebrew PCBs

> I have some questions...
>
> This appeared to be exothermic (it made it's own heat) will this stop?
> What is causing it (I think it's the reaction with the H202)? Will it
> produce heat next time?

Yes, it is the reaction. it will not heat up if you have less H2O2.
Be careful, such etchants have "gone throught the wall" it is said and
also killed people. Not sure it that is true. But if you get too much heat  
you
are in for trouble (HCl has a very low boiling point!). Always put your  
etchant conainer
into another, much bigger. Make sure you have a bucket of water nearby  
with which
you could thin and cool the etchant.
Note that metals are kinf of a catalyst for H2O2 reactions - so take the  
copper
out if it gets too hot.

>
> There are bubbles in my storage container (I didn't aerate), what are
> they? Will they eventually explode the bottle if I don't vent them off?
> It's in a pint bottle that usually contains water.

They are probably oxygen. You have used too much H2O2. I have read that  
they may
explode a bottle but i'm not sure if they do if there is no metal in it.
I have made the tiniest of holes in my storage bottle lid, and  
additionally glued
a second lid on top, with another hole, and stuffed the space between with  
foam.
(to prevent spills if you topple the bottle over and to limit gas exchange  
rate.)
Another option would be a rubber pressure valve over the hole.

>
> Why did my latex gloves turn yellow where they got etchant on them?

They always do, i don't know.

>
> Other than those questions I am extremely happy with the etchant, it was
> cool to see it turn green, I was also watching it eat the copper off the
> board.

You are using too much H2O2. I know it, i timed a small board once with
11 seconds  ;-). At the beginning you will always have slight gassing  
because there
is simply too little CuCl. That will go away eventually.


ST