HBF4 Removing Lead

[rusty]

Read somewhere that Fluoroboric acid is used to remove lead from the PCB waste stream being treated for precious metals recovery.

How closely is HBF4 related to hydrofluoric acid , thanks

Regards
Rsuty

 

[NoIdea]

Read somewhere that Fluoroboric acid is used to remove lead from the PCB waste stream being treated for precious metals recovery.

How closely is HBF4 related to hydrofluoric acid , thanks

Regards
Rsuty

Hi Rusty, I’ve looked into this, read many articles. Theirs a company or patent that depopulates boards without subsequent damage to the components using HBF4. Mighty assume idea.

My only concern is that HBF4 is a very nasty compound and extremely hard to obtain. It is for this reason I chose not to pursue this avenue. It’s widely used in organic synthesis chemistry.

It would be nice to obtain some other solvent that removes component without damaging them. I have looked and am still looking


Deano

 

[goldsilverpro]

HBF₄ + H2O2 is commonly used to dissolve Pb/Sn solder. I would say it's far less dangerous than HF. Maybe in the same category as HCl or HNO3. It is a strong acid and must be treated as such. I don't remember it producing many fumes. I have used it many times while in the plating industry. Many metals are plated from fluoborate baths - Ni, Cu, Pb, Sn, Ag, etc.

 

[dtectr]

I know nothing about this but came across this in google search:
http://www.finishing.com/195/79.shtml