Wet ashing ceramics

[Ahk]

What is the proper procedure to wet ash ceramic chips. Well I guess the proper question is first whether or not it can be done.

 

[Shark]

Wet ashing is very dangerous., and not recommended for general use. The proper way to use it on ceramics is to not do it. It won't work on ceramics is a better way to put it. Wet ashing isn't meant to be used on bulk materials, and they must be made of a material that break down in hot sulfuric acid.

 

[adam mizer]

Ceramics generally have a very resistance to acids.
Wet ashing not recommended as Shark stated.

Usually ceramics I would take a hammer and smash them and put in AR.
But depending on the chip, if they have a combined layer of ceramics as seen by a middle separation connection, tap them on the side until they split to check whats inside.
You should be able to check this.

 

[Yggdrasil]

What is the proper procedure to wet ash ceramic chips. Well I guess the proper question is first whether or not it can be done.

Shark is correct.
Wet ashing is in the same danger class as HF and will dissolve flesh and bone in a short time.
Additionallybit can only be used on "organics" like epoxy and plastics not ceramics.

 

[Ahk]

Ceramics generally have a very resistance to acids.
Wet ashing not recommended as Shark stated.

Usually ceramics I would take a hammer and smash them and put in AR.
But depending on the chip, if they have a combined layer of ceramics as seen by a middle separation connection, tap them on the side until they split to check whats inside.
You should be able to check this.

These are the ic chips they’re ceramic Motorola

 

[Shark]

Those aren't ceramic.

 

[Ahk]

Wet ashing is very dangerous., and not recommended for general use. The proper way to use it on ceramics is to not do it. It won't work on ceramics is a better way to put it. Wet ashing isn't meant to be used on bulk materials, and they must be made of a material that break down in hot sulfuric acid.

Thank you for the heads up. That would’ve been a pain in the ass, saved me some serious time and serious risk for no reason thank you for that.

 

[Shark]

Those are epoxy based chips. There is a lot of information on processing them on the forum. Look for posts by patnor1011 and kurtak. Two different methods, but one should be the one that works best for your experience and equipment.

 

[Ahk]

Those aren't ceramic.

Them dam things wouldn’t burn to save my life lol I tried to blow torch the darn things to oblivion and an hour later nothing. They must be made of cryptonite hahaha

 

[Ahk]

Those are epoxy based chips. There is a lot of information on processing them on the forum. Look for posts by patnor1011 and kurtak. Two different methods, but one should be the one that works best for your experience and equipment.

Thank you guys for pointing me in the right direction. This is my first time trying to refine anything, I’ve already made my red fuming nitric I still have to dilute it.

 

[adam mizer]

Those are sort of like this.
Older the chip the better.
Some of yours appear 1994, might be pretty good.

 

[Shark]

Here is a post started by patnor1011. It is long but very educational.

https://goldrefiningforum.com/threads/gold-inside-chips-black-flatpacks-not-cpu.11827/post-115857

 

[Ahk]

Those are sort of like this.
Older the chip the better.
Some of yours appear 1994, might be pretty good.

The backs of mine don’t look like that unfortunately

 

[Ahk]

Here is a post started by patnor1011. It is long but very educational.

https://goldrefiningforum.com/threads/gold-inside-chips-black-flatpacks-not-cpu.11827/post-115857

Thank you for the link I’m going to check it out right now

 

[adam mizer]

Them dam things wouldn’t burn to save my life lol I tried to blow torch the darn things to oblivion and an hour later nothing. They must be made of cryptonite hahaha

That might be black type ceramic.
Regardless if plastic or ceramic tap one on the side with a small hammer and crack it open, check it out.

 

[Yggdrasil]

The backs of mine don’t look like that unfortunately

No because these has been treated to see the insides.
And it is the top if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Ahk]

No because these has been treated to see the insides.
And it is the top if I'm not mistaken.

See told you brand new lmao

 

[kurtak]

What is the proper procedure to wet ash ceramic chips.

There is NO proper procedure for wet ashing ceramic of any kind & that is because ceramic is completely impervious to sulfuric acid (as well as must other acids)

Wet ashing ONLY works on organics such as skin/flesh/bone paper/wood plastics/epoxy etc. etc.

Sulfuric acid is one of the more dangerous to work with because even at room temperature if you get it on you it will EAT your flesh leaving you with a very nasty chemical burn that takes a VERY LONG time to heal

In order for sulfuric acid to wet ash plastic/epoxy (such as epoxy IC chips) the sulfuric acid needs to be heated VERY HOT - like bringing it up to a simmering boil --- which makes the sulfuric acid 10 TIMES more dangerous then it is at room temperature which is why we NEVER recommend ashing epoxy IC chips with sulfuric acid !!!

It is an EXTREEMLY DANGEROUS way to ash epoxy IC chips !!!!!!!!!

These are the ic chips they’re ceramic Motorola

Those aren't ceramic.

Those are epoxy based chips

Them dam things wouldn’t burn to save my life

Shark - actually - just like they make ceramic DIP (Dual Inline Pin) PROMS & EPROMS they also make ceramic QUADS - which is what he has here

And (at least in my experience) they are not worth processing & that is because just like the ceramic DIP PROMS & EPROMS they do not have gold bond wires in them but instead aluminum bond wires

The only gold in them is the gold braze used to braze the silicon die in the cavity of the ceramic chip

That gold braze only adds up to about one tenth of a gram (or less) per pound - so only about $8 gold (or less) which is about what your chem cost is (or more) to process

Which is why after the couple (2) times that I tried processing these chips I now simply throw them away along with the ceramic DIP PROMS & EPROMS --- they simply are not worth the chems needed to process them - the time to process them - & the chem waste you create that then needs to be made safe for disposal

At least that is my experience with them - VERY low yield for the cost of your chems/time & waste created that needs to be made safe for disposal

Kurt

 

[Shark]

Shark - actually - just like they make ceramic DIP (Dual Inline Pin) PROMS & EPROMS they also make ceramic QUADS - which is what he has here

I have never run into ceramic quads before. Just goes to show the more you know the more you learn you don't know.

 

[kurtak]

I have never run into ceramic quads before. Just goes to show the more you know the more you learn you don't know.

Yep - I hear that - I hate it when I find out I am not as smart as I think I am

Kurt