Methods for pickling copper at home

Many chemists say that copper etching is best done under laboratory conditions, since this process involves the use of various acids that are dangerous to the human body. However, sometimes situations arise when such a procedure must be carried out urgently. In our article, we will talk about the most effective methods of pickling copper at home, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

Safety precautions

To begin with, I would like to say a few words about how important it is to comply with safety regulations when working with chemical reagents. Even a specialist should not neglect them, since the slightest mistake can lead to sad consequences. Here is a list of rules that should be followed when etching copper with acids:

• the procedure should be carried out in a well-ventilated area;
• during work it is necessary to use protective gloves and glasses;
• napkins and clean running water should always be at hand;
• if reagent enters the skin, consult a doctor immediately;
• if you are not confident in your calculations, then it is better not to carry out the procedure at all.

If it happened that acid fell into your hands, then give yourself first aid by treating the affected area with water - this significantly eliminates the effect of the acid, but even after that you should contact a specialist for help, especially if the skin is covered with red spots.

Chlorine Etching

There are a huge number of solutions for the etching of copper, which are suitable for use at home. For example, one of the best options that every schoolchild knows is a solution of ferric chloride. Here is a list of the main advantages of this method over the others:

• stable speed of chemical processes - important for a novice chemist;
• etching will require only one element - iron chloride;
• the amount of iron chloride in the solution does not affect the etching rate;
• You can ignore the ambient temperature.

The main disadvantage of this method is that ferric chloride is quite expensive, and it can be purchased for the most part only on the black market. However, if you manage to get such a chemical element, you can safely carry out the experiment without fear for a lack of experience or knowledge.

Blue vitriol and salt

Etching copper with copper sulfate is one of the easiest ways to give copper a distinctive glow. You can buy the active substance in any hardware store at a fairly low price. In addition, the remains of copper sulfate will almost certainly come in handy on the farm. However, this method has a rather wide list of disadvantages:

• if used improperly, the substance can be harmful to humans;
• with prolonged use of the reagent, copper will turn into powder;
• the reaction rate is largely dependent on the temperature of the liquid.

However, one cannot fail to mention the fact that, unlike ferric chloride, copper sulfate is quite simply excreted by acetic acid from any interior item or clothing. Therefore, you can not be afraid to stain your new coat in the process of etching, since it will not be difficult to clean it.

Persulfate Etching

Ammonium persulfate is a fairly well-known chemical reagent, which in appearance very much resembles ordinary edible salt and can be used to pickle copper. However, it is immediately worth mentioning that after such a procedure a special coating will remain on the metal, which will have to be removed manually. Well, the list of advantages of grass in this way looks something like this:

• ammonium persulfate is absolutely harmless to clothes of home decoration;
• for a complete chemical reaction, one key element is enough;
• rather high speed of a chemical reaction.

Although the first point should make one important clarification. The reagent is harmless only if it gets on clothing or an item in small quantities. In large volumes, it is able to burn soft tissue and even flesh.

Hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide

Perhaps the most budgetary way to conduct an experiment at home. Etching copper with hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid is exactly what a beginner should start with, as peroxide can be bought at any pharmacy, and hydrochloric acid can be easily replaced with battery electrolyte. Also, pay attention not to the list of the following benefits:

• the highest reaction rate of all these methods;
• the reaction proceeds fairly well at ordinary room temperature;
• upon contact with tissue or skin, the solution leaves no noticeable marks.

As for the shortcomings, it is only one - a strong concentration of hydrochloric acid can affect human health, especially if the experimenter neglects the basic safety rules. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the preparation of the solution before proceeding with the etching process.

Citric Acid and Hydrogen Peroxide

Etching of copper with citric acid is also a fairly well-known method that will not do much harm to a person in case of careless handling of reagents. However, the course of the reaction can slow down rather strongly with an excessive concentration of citric acid. Well, the list of advantages looks something like this:

• with proper use, the speed of the chemical reaction is quite high;
• low cost of key elements - reagents will cost 30 rubles;
• the solution does not require additional heating.

Also, do not forget about the availability of all necessary elements. For example, citric acid can be purchased at any supermarket, and hydrogen peroxide is sold over the counter at any pharmacy in your city. Also, such a solution is safe for humans, if not considering eye contact.

Preparation of solutions at home

So, after carefully weighing the pros and cons, you should choose the best etching method and prepare a solution for the experiment. Once again we draw your attention to the observance of safety precautions during a chemical experiment. Even if you have extensive experience in handling reagents, you should not neglect your own safety, as this can end very sadly. For example, in no case do not add more reagents to the solution than recommended, because this can not only lead to health problems, but also completely destroy the expensive copper product. You will find more detailed information on how to make this or that solution at home in the following sections.

Prepare a solution of ferric chloride

So, to make a solution, you first need to get a clean glass container. Even enameled iron is strongly discouraged, since a slight scratch on the surface can lead to the reaction of ferric chloride with utensils. At the bottom of the container, place a small amount of the key ingredient. We remind you that the whole process should be carried out with gloves, since the ingress of ferric chloride on the skin can cause damage to the dermis.

Carefully put copper on iron and fill the whole thing with water. After that, it is necessary to close the dishes with a plastic lid or a plastic bag. We leave the etching tank in any place, since the reaction does not depend on the amount of sunlight or air temperature. However, do not put a chalice iron bowl near food or a dining table. Of course, it is recommended to keep it away from children.

Preparation of copper sulfate solution

If you decide to etch copper with copper sulfate, then for this you need not only the active substance, but also ordinary edible salt, as well as water and a container. All components must be mixed together in a 1: 1 ratio until a general consistency is formed, and the salt is completely dissolved in water. Copper must be placed in an open vessel for several hours until it acquires a characteristic luster.

Do not forget that fumes of copper sulfate can be quite toxic to humans, therefore, when etching copper, safety precautions should in no case be neglected. It is best to conduct experiments on the street or in a well-ventilated area. It is also recommended that you use a respirator to prevent harmful vapors from entering your lungs as an extra precaution.

Preparation of solution from persulfate

First you need to find a suitable container. It should be made of glass and not too deep (although the volume for the most part depends on the size of the copper product). Pour a small amount of powder into the vessel, then fill it with running water. As soon as it is possible to achieve a homogeneous consistency, put a copper product in the dishes and close it with a lid.

As mentioned earlier, as a result of etching of copper with persulphates, a coating may form on the precious metal product, which must be cleaned. The easiest way to do this is with hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid, before mixing them together. For every 100 milliliters of liquid, you will need to put two tablets of hydrochloric acid. After that, copper is added to the container and aged in the composition for several hours.

Video and conclusion

We hope our article has helped you better understand the technology of pickling copper at home. If the information you provided was not enough or you still have some questions, we strongly recommend that you watch a short video in which you can also come up with a lot of theoretical information. If you have recently become interested in chemistry, then you should definitely watch it to the end.

As you can see, electrochemical etching of copper at home is not such a difficult task as it might seem at first glance. The main thing is to know the theoretical part and comply with safety regulations. Some methods of etching are so easy that even a schoolboy can use them, and all the necessary ingredients to create a solution are publicly available.