What is copper etching?
copper erching is a selective process of removal used to create images on the copper plate. Most etching processes require a plate covered with a non -active material that is then selectively removed. The plate is exposed to a corrosion that removes small amounts of copper when leaving protected areas in secluded areas. In the past it was done with wax and various acids. Modern etching of copper generally uses fewer toxic materials such as an iron chloride instead of acid and sodium carbonate to remove it. Modern etching is used for everything from artistic expression to creating inkjet prints to launching paths on circuits.
Historically, copper etching was a method of creating decorations on metal subjects such as plates, weapons or bells. The same person who made this item usually produced these decorations. Over time, etching becomes popular as a unique art form; In this case, the medium was usually a copper leaf without purpose outside art. AroundThe time, the first commes were used to use the use of etching and create plates for mass production of printed material.
All these historical methods used the same process. The metal was covered with a layer of molten wax and left to adjust. The letter would use a special knife to remove the wax until the exposed copper creates the desired image or the image was the only part still covered. This prepared board would be immersed in a acid bath or an acid would be poured on it. Over time, he took the acid plate and covered it in the neutralization mixture.
Modern methods use the same basic process; They just change several specifics. In commercial or industrial etching copper, the etching can be operated by a computer rather than operated by a person. Acids and solvents used in the past were replaced by non -toxic alternatives. In many cases, wax is still preferred by unreactive muscle, IWhen some industrial processes use plastic leaves instead. Finally, the waste materials are often captured and recycled to be used again.
The most common industrial use for etching copper is to create circuit boards, such as green boards common in everything, from toaster to mobile phones. To create a circuit board, the base material plate is covered with an extremely thin copper layer and then a layer of non -active plastic. A computer supported etching removes undesirable plastic coating and the entire plate is sprayed with dissolution. It removes all copper, except for the paths. The advice is then stamped and drilled to create space for the connected components.