Gold plated diodes using just hcl / bubbler

[dervishh]

So I read on here that I didn't need peroxide if I use a bubbler and I'm really surprised how well it's working! I'm just curious why not use peroxide? Here's the ebay link to the diodes I'm processing
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Go...p4429486.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

 

[Yggdrasil]

So I read on here that I didn't need peroxide if I use a bubbler and I'm really surprised how well it's working! I'm just curious why not use peroxide? Here's the ebay link to the diodes I'm processing
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Go...p4429486.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

If you add too much Peroxide or too strong Peroxide it will dissolve some Gold, which will then cement out on any place with base metal.

 

[dervishh]

If you add too much Peroxide or too strong Peroxide it will dissolve some Gold, which will then cement out on any place with base metal.

What about heat? Will that dissolve gold with just hcl?

 

[Yggdrasil]

What about heat? Will that dissolve gold with just hcl?

No

 

[Martijn]

The peroxide is optional to make the first bit of copper chloride, which is the leaching chemical that dissolves copper.
It can also be made by putting a bit of black or green stained copper in HCl.
Then add air to regenerate the CuCl to Cu2Cl etchant.

 

[eaglekeeper]

So I read on here that I didn't need peroxide if I use a bubbler and I'm really surprised how well it's working! I'm just curious why not use peroxide? Here's the ebay link to the diodes I'm processing
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Go...p4429486.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

There also might be a tiny gold bonding wire inside the glass tube.

 

[FrugalRefiner]

Then add air to regenerate the CuCl to Cu2Cl etchant.

...to regenerate the CuCl to CuCl₂.

Dave

 

[dervishh]

There also might be a tiny gold bonding wire inside the glass tube.

Well, honestly, I wish I would have just clipped the wires and left out the glass, because now I have a bunch of tiny bits of silica and tiny pieces of what looks like pencil lead and it has been impossible to remove completely

 

[eaglekeeper]

Well, honestly, I wish I would have just clipped the wires and left out the glass, because now I have a bunch of tiny bits of silica and tiny pieces of what looks like pencil lead and it has been impossible to remove completely

Sorry man, I had already assumed you were going to snip off the wires and process separately. And like I mentioned, that there Might be gold bonding wires....I've seen similar material, some with and some with out gold. Carefully cracking one open and use a magnifying glass will get you that answer.

 

[patnor1011]

Well, honestly, I wish I would have just clipped the wires and left out the glass, because now I have a bunch of tiny bits of silica and tiny pieces of what looks like pencil lead and it has been impossible to remove completely

You can always grind leftovers and leach them again.