Abstract:
A METHOD OF ETCHING A METAL WORKPIECE IS DESCRIBED, WHICH CARRIES A TIN RESIST (OR A TIN-COATED SOLDER RESIST), A CHROMATE COATING IS PROVIDED OVER THE RESIST, AND THE METAL WORKPIECE IS ETCHED WITH AN AQUEOUS ETCHANT SUCH AS A PEROXYSULFATE CONTAINING PHOSPHORIC ACID OR A SODIUM CHLORITE-AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE SOLUTION OR A CHROMIC-SULFURIC ACID BATH TO DISSOLVE THE METAL FREE OF RESIST, THUS PRODUCING BRIGHT, SMOOTH AND ELECTRICALLY CLEAN RELIEFS HAVING SHARP PATTERN DEFINITION ON THE METAL WORKPIECE.