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US20080149885A1 - Etchant for etching workpieces made of aluminum and aluminum alloys - Google Patents

Etchant for etching workpieces made of aluminum and aluminum alloys Download PDF

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Publication number
US20080149885A1
US20080149885A1 US11/777,118 US77711807A US2008149885A1 US 20080149885 A1 US20080149885 A1 US 20080149885A1 US 77711807 A US77711807 A US 77711807A US 2008149885 A1 US2008149885 A1 US 2008149885A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
etchant
ferric
approximate range
aluminum
percentage
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/777,118
Inventor
Chih-Pen Lin
Qing-Song Cao
Nian-Jiang Wu
Nan-Hai Li
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co Ltd
FIH Hong Kong Ltd
Original Assignee
Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co Ltd
Sutech Trading Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co Ltd, Sutech Trading Ltd filed Critical Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co Ltd
Assigned to SUTECH TRADING LIMITED, SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO.,LTD. reassignment SUTECH TRADING LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CAO, Qing-song, LI, Nan-hai, LIN, CHIH-PEN, WU, Nian-jiang
Publication of US20080149885A1 publication Critical patent/US20080149885A1/en
Assigned to FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED reassignment FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: SUTECH TRADING LIMITED
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C23COATING METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING MATERIAL WITH METALLIC MATERIAL; CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT; DIFFUSION TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL; COATING BY VACUUM EVAPORATION, BY SPUTTERING, BY ION IMPLANTATION OR BY CHEMICAL VAPOUR DEPOSITION, IN GENERAL; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL
    • C23FNON-MECHANICAL REMOVAL OF METALLIC MATERIAL FROM SURFACE; INHIBITING CORROSION OF METALLIC MATERIAL OR INCRUSTATION IN GENERAL; MULTI-STEP PROCESSES FOR SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALLIC MATERIAL INVOLVING AT LEAST ONE PROCESS PROVIDED FOR IN CLASS C23 AND AT LEAST ONE PROCESS COVERED BY SUBCLASS C21D OR C22F OR CLASS C25
    • C23F1/00Etching metallic material by chemical means
    • C23F1/10Etching compositions
    • C23F1/14Aqueous compositions
    • C23F1/16Acidic compositions
    • C23F1/20Acidic compositions for etching aluminium or alloys thereof

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an etchant, and, particularly, to a kind of etchant used for etching workpieces made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
  • a typical etchant includes an acetic acid solution, a hydrochloric acid solution, and a nitric acid solution.
  • Such an etchant is usually expensive and cannot be recycled.
  • the etchant of this sort is used to etch workpieces made of aluminium or an alloy thereof, it usually requires a long time to etch the workpieces, and it is prone to leave a residue that stains the workpieces.
  • An etchant includes nitric acid having a percentage by mass in an approximate range from 4% to 6%, hydrochloric acid having a percentage by mass in an approximate range from 1% to 3%; and ferric ions (Fe 3+ ) having a concentration in an approximate range of 30-70 grams/liter.
  • the resultant etchant is suitable for etching aluminum and its alloys.
  • An etchant in accordance with a present embodiment is provided.
  • the etchant can be applied to workpieces made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, such as housings of mobile phones, computers, digital cameras, etc., in order to form apertures, marks, and/or designs therein and/or thereon, as the case may be.
  • the etchant is a solution including nitric acid (HNO 3 ), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and a ferric compound.
  • the percentage by mass of HNO 3 contained in the resulting etchant is in an approximate range from 4% to 6%, and the percentage by mass of HCl contained in the resulting etchant is in an approximate range from 1% to 3%.
  • the ferric (Fe 3+ ) compound is a soluble ferric compound.
  • the ferric compound can be a ferric halide chosen from the group consisting of ferric chloride (FeCl 3 ), ferric bromide (FeBr 3 ), ferric iodide (FeI 3 ), and mixtures thereof.
  • the concentration of ferric ions (Fe3 + ) contained in the etchant is in the approximate range of 30 to 70 grams/liter (g/l).
  • HNO 3 , HCl, and the aforementioned ferric compound are mixed in water to form the etchant, wherein an original percentage by mass concentration of HNO 3 is about 68%-70%, and an original percentage by mass concentration of HCl is about 30%-32%.
  • an optimal percentage by mass of HNO 3 can be approximately 5%
  • an optimal percentage by mass of HCl can be approximately 2%
  • an optimal concentration of Fe 3+ can be approximately 50 grams/liter (g/l).
  • the workpieces made of aluminium or aluminium alloy are immersed in the etchant at a temperature in an approximate range of 38° C.-48° C. to be etched.
  • the optimal etching temperature of the etchant is approximately 43° C.
  • an etching depth in the workpieces is about 0.1 millimeters (mm). It is to be understood that, for depths greater than 0.1 mm, etching times in excess of 1.8 min would be needed, and for depths of less than 0.1 mm, shorter etching times would suffice.
  • the workpieces are taken out from the etchant and cleaned by means of a typical cleaning method, in order to neutralize and/or remove any etchant remaining thereon upon removal from the etchant.
  • An oxidizer such as sodium chlorate (NaClO 3 ) or potassium chlorate (KClO 3 ), can advantageously be added into the etchant for resuming/renewing the oxidizing capability of the used etchant.
  • an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the used etchant is measured to be less than 550 millivolt (mV)
  • ORP oxidation-reduction potential
  • the etchant in accordance with the present embodiment requires less etching time and forms less residue. Additionally, the etchant is less expensive since it can be recycled.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Metallurgy (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • ing And Chemical Polishing (AREA)

Abstract

An etchant includes nitric acid (HNO3) having a percentage by mass in the approximate range of 4%-6%, hydrochloric acid (HCl) having a percentage by mass in the approximate range of 1%-3%; and ferric ions (Fe3+) having a concentration in the approximate range of 30-70 grams/liter (g/l). The resultant etchant is suitable for etching aluminum and its alloys. In fact, the etchant is capable of etching such a material to a depth of about 0.1 mm in about 1.8 min, when employed at a temperature in the approximate range of 38° C.-48° C. The etchant further may be recycled, for which an added oxidizer may further be employed.

Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • 1. Field of the Invention
  • The present invention relates to an etchant, and, particularly, to a kind of etchant used for etching workpieces made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
  • 2. Description of Related Art
  • Workpieces, made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, are widely used in modern industry. In use, workpieces made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy are oftentimes etched to form apertures, marks, and/or designs on and/or in surfaces thereof. Generally, a typical etchant includes an acetic acid solution, a hydrochloric acid solution, and a nitric acid solution. Such an etchant is usually expensive and cannot be recycled. Additionally, when the etchant of this sort is used to etch workpieces made of aluminium or an alloy thereof, it usually requires a long time to etch the workpieces, and it is prone to leave a residue that stains the workpieces.
  • Therefore, a kind of new etchant for etching workpieces made of aluminum or an alloy thereof, is desired in order to overcome the above-described shortcomings.
  • SUMMARY
  • An etchant includes nitric acid having a percentage by mass in an approximate range from 4% to 6%, hydrochloric acid having a percentage by mass in an approximate range from 1% to 3%; and ferric ions (Fe3+) having a concentration in an approximate range of 30-70 grams/liter. The resultant etchant is suitable for etching aluminum and its alloys.
  • Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • An etchant in accordance with a present embodiment is provided. The etchant can be applied to workpieces made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy, such as housings of mobile phones, computers, digital cameras, etc., in order to form apertures, marks, and/or designs therein and/or thereon, as the case may be. The etchant is a solution including nitric acid (HNO3), hydrochloric acid (HCl), and a ferric compound.
  • In the etchant, the percentage by mass of HNO3 contained in the resulting etchant is in an approximate range from 4% to 6%, and the percentage by mass of HCl contained in the resulting etchant is in an approximate range from 1% to 3%. The ferric (Fe3+) compound is a soluble ferric compound. Beneficially, the ferric compound can be a ferric halide chosen from the group consisting of ferric chloride (FeCl3), ferric bromide (FeBr3), ferric iodide (FeI3), and mixtures thereof. When the ferric compound is dissolved in the etchant solution, the concentration of ferric ions (Fe3+) contained in the etchant is in the approximate range of 30 to 70 grams/liter (g/l).
  • In preparation of the etchant, HNO3, HCl, and the aforementioned ferric compound are mixed in water to form the etchant, wherein an original percentage by mass concentration of HNO3 is about 68%-70%, and an original percentage by mass concentration of HCl is about 30%-32%. Beneficially, in the etchant an optimal percentage by mass of HNO3 can be approximately 5%, an optimal percentage by mass of HCl can be approximately 2%, and an optimal concentration of Fe3+ can be approximately 50 grams/liter (g/l).
  • In use, the workpieces made of aluminium or aluminium alloy are immersed in the etchant at a temperature in an approximate range of 38° C.-48° C. to be etched. Beneficially, the optimal etching temperature of the etchant is approximately 43° C. When the workpieces are etched by the etchant for about 1.8 minutes, an etching depth in the workpieces is about 0.1 millimeters (mm). It is to be understood that, for depths greater than 0.1 mm, etching times in excess of 1.8 min would be needed, and for depths of less than 0.1 mm, shorter etching times would suffice. After predetermined apertures, marks, and/or designs are formed in/on the workpieces, the workpieces are taken out from the etchant and cleaned by means of a typical cleaning method, in order to neutralize and/or remove any etchant remaining thereon upon removal from the etchant.
  • After the etchant is used, it can be recycled for etching further workpieces. An oxidizer, such as sodium chlorate (NaClO3) or potassium chlorate (KClO3), can advantageously be added into the etchant for resuming/renewing the oxidizing capability of the used etchant. Beneficially, when an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the used etchant is measured to be less than 550 millivolt (mV), the oxidizer should be added to the used etchant.
  • Understandably, compared to most kinds of typical etchants, the etchant in accordance with the present embodiment requires less etching time and forms less residue. Additionally, the etchant is less expensive since it can be recycled.
  • It is to be further understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structures and functions of various embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims (10)

1. An etchant comprising:
a nitric acid (HNO3) having a percentage by mass in an approximate range of 4%-6%;
a hydrochloric acid (HCl) having a percentage by mass in an approximate range of 1%-3%; and
a source of ferric ions (Fe3+) having a concentration in an approximate range of 30-70 grams/liter (g/l).
2. The etchant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the percentage by mass of the nitric acid (HNO3) is approximately 5%.
3. The etchant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the percentage by mass of the hydrochloric acid (HCl) is approximately 2%.
4. The etchant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ferric ions (Fe3+) have a concentration of approximately 50 grams/liter (g/l).
5. The etchant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the etchant is capable of effectively etching aluminum or an alloy thereof at a temperature in an approximate range of 38° C.-48° C.
6. The etchant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ferric (Fe3+) ions are provided by a soluble ferric compound dissolved in the etchant.
7. The etchant as claimed in claim 6, wherein the ferric compound is chosen from the group consisting of ferric chloride (FeCl3), ferric bromide (FeBr3), ferric iodide (FeI3), and a mixture of at least two kinds of these kinds of ferric halide.
8. The etchant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the etchant further includes an oxidizer.
9. The etchant as claimed in claim 8, wherein the oxidizer is chosen from the group of sodium chlorate (NaClO3) and potassium chlorate (KClO3).
10. The etchant as claimed in claim 1, wherein the etchant is capable of etching at least one of aluminum and an aluminum alloy to a depth of about 0.1 mm in about 1.8 min, when employed at a temperature in the approximate range of 38° C.-48° C.
US11/777,118 2006-12-22 2007-07-12 Etchant for etching workpieces made of aluminum and aluminum alloys Abandoned US20080149885A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN2006101578739A CN101205614B (en) 2006-12-22 2006-12-22 Chemical etching liquor for aluminium and aluminum alloy
CN200610157873.9 2006-12-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20080149885A1 true US20080149885A1 (en) 2008-06-26

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CN (1) CN101205614B (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102800575A (en) * 2011-05-26 2012-11-28 中芯国际集成电路制造(上海)有限公司 Method for removing crystal defects of aluminum liner
US8540826B2 (en) 2009-10-02 2013-09-24 University Of Windsor Method of surface treatment of aluminum foil and its alloy and method of producing immobilized nanocatalyst of transition metal oxides and their alloys
US9039915B2 (en) 2009-02-23 2015-05-26 Kanto Kagaku Kabushiki Kaisha Etching solution compositions for metal laminate films
TWI547546B (en) * 2010-09-28 2016-09-01 林純藥工業股份有限公司 Etching liquid composition and etching method

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102181866A (en) * 2011-04-14 2011-09-14 惠州中京电子科技股份有限公司 Method for roughening surface of aluminum substrate
CN103774148B (en) * 2011-12-31 2016-03-16 聚灿光电科技股份有限公司 Semiconductor technology normal temperature aluminium etch process
CN105925981A (en) * 2016-05-30 2016-09-07 苏州安洁科技股份有限公司 Etching liquid for preparing double-face aluminum product circuit board
JP6332821B1 (en) * 2017-05-30 2018-05-30 Apsジャパン株式会社 Method for producing catalyst or adsorbent carrier, and catalyst or adsorbent carrier
CN110512210A (en) * 2019-09-28 2019-11-29 立邦涂料(重庆)化工有限公司 A kind of free-floride low-temperature corrosion agent and preparation method
CN113755840A (en) * 2021-08-16 2021-12-07 合肥本源量子计算科技有限责任公司 Etching liquid and etching method

Citations (3)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3836473A (en) * 1971-09-21 1974-09-17 Rolls Royce 1971 Ltd Etching solution
US4060097A (en) * 1975-09-17 1977-11-29 Oxford Keith E Automatic etching system
US4089736A (en) * 1976-04-27 1978-05-16 Rolls-Royce Limited Method of removing Al-Cr-Co coatings from nickel alloy substrates

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NL7509341A (en) * 1975-08-06 1977-02-08 Philips Nv PROCESS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE INDIUM OXIDE CARTRIDGES ON AN INSULATING SUPPORT.
SU1425252A1 (en) * 1985-09-30 1988-09-23 Предприятие П/Я Г-4517 Agent for detecting macroflaws
CN100383282C (en) * 2005-09-23 2008-04-23 祁佰伟 Comprehensive utilization method of corrosive liquid for producing breastplate

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3836473A (en) * 1971-09-21 1974-09-17 Rolls Royce 1971 Ltd Etching solution
US4060097A (en) * 1975-09-17 1977-11-29 Oxford Keith E Automatic etching system
US4089736A (en) * 1976-04-27 1978-05-16 Rolls-Royce Limited Method of removing Al-Cr-Co coatings from nickel alloy substrates

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9039915B2 (en) 2009-02-23 2015-05-26 Kanto Kagaku Kabushiki Kaisha Etching solution compositions for metal laminate films
US8540826B2 (en) 2009-10-02 2013-09-24 University Of Windsor Method of surface treatment of aluminum foil and its alloy and method of producing immobilized nanocatalyst of transition metal oxides and their alloys
TWI547546B (en) * 2010-09-28 2016-09-01 林純藥工業股份有限公司 Etching liquid composition and etching method
CN102800575A (en) * 2011-05-26 2012-11-28 中芯国际集成电路制造(上海)有限公司 Method for removing crystal defects of aluminum liner

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CN101205614B (en) 2011-06-29
CN101205614A (en) 2008-06-25

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: SHENZHEN FUTAIHONG PRECISION INDUSTRY CO.,LTD., CH

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LIN, CHIH-PEN;CAO, QING-SONG;WU, NIAN-JIANG;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:019551/0858

Effective date: 20070627

Owner name: SUTECH TRADING LIMITED, VIRGIN ISLANDS, BRITISH

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:LIN, CHIH-PEN;CAO, QING-SONG;WU, NIAN-JIANG;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:019551/0858

Effective date: 20070627

AS Assignment

Owner name: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED, HONG KONG

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SUTECH TRADING LIMITED;REEL/FRAME:022483/0051

Effective date: 20090324

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION