How to Remove Gold from Circuit Boards
Get protective gear., Purchase concentrated nitric acid., Put your circuit boards in a glass container., Pour the concentrated nitric acid into the glass container with the circuit boards., Stir the mixture using a glass rod until the contents...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get protective gear.
Be sure to wear a face mask, safety glasses, and industrial gloves.
Chemicals and acids can irritate or even burn through your skin.
Fumes from burning acids can also hurt your eyes and cause nausea when inhaled. -
Step 2: Purchase concentrated nitric acid.
Nitric acid is a clear liquid chemical commonly used for various industrial, steel, and wood works.
You can purchase nitric acid from industrial or chemical shops.
In some states and countries, however, you might be prohibited from buying nitric acid or you might have to meet certain standards before you’re allowed to purchase it.
Check with your local authorities before purchasing. , The container should preferably be Pyrex glassware or the kind that can withstand extreme heat.
Break the circuit boards into smaller pieces before you put them in the glass container.
Do not use plastic containers as the acid might burn right through it. , As you put the acid in, burning fumes will start to come out of the container, so make sure you’re wearing protective gear. , Since gold requires stronger chemicals to be dissolved, the nitric acid will melt all the plastic and metal parts of the circuit board without harming the gold bits. , Use a filter to separate the solid parts from the liquid. , These parts will have the gold.
Some plastic may still be attached to the gold, so you need to separate these little bits off the gold yourself.
Be sure to use industrial strength gloves when you do so. -
Step 3: Put your circuit boards in a glass container.
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Step 4: Pour the concentrated nitric acid into the glass container with the circuit boards.
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Step 5: Stir the mixture using a glass rod until the contents become fluid in form.
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Step 6: Drain the nitric acid from the mixture.
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Step 7: Pick out the unmelted parts.
Detailed Guide
Be sure to wear a face mask, safety glasses, and industrial gloves.
Chemicals and acids can irritate or even burn through your skin.
Fumes from burning acids can also hurt your eyes and cause nausea when inhaled.
Nitric acid is a clear liquid chemical commonly used for various industrial, steel, and wood works.
You can purchase nitric acid from industrial or chemical shops.
In some states and countries, however, you might be prohibited from buying nitric acid or you might have to meet certain standards before you’re allowed to purchase it.
Check with your local authorities before purchasing. , The container should preferably be Pyrex glassware or the kind that can withstand extreme heat.
Break the circuit boards into smaller pieces before you put them in the glass container.
Do not use plastic containers as the acid might burn right through it. , As you put the acid in, burning fumes will start to come out of the container, so make sure you’re wearing protective gear. , Since gold requires stronger chemicals to be dissolved, the nitric acid will melt all the plastic and metal parts of the circuit board without harming the gold bits. , Use a filter to separate the solid parts from the liquid. , These parts will have the gold.
Some plastic may still be attached to the gold, so you need to separate these little bits off the gold yourself.
Be sure to use industrial strength gloves when you do so.
About the Author
Andrea Thompson
Andrea Thompson is an experienced writer with over 1 years of expertise in advertising. Passionate about sharing practical knowledge, Andrea creates easy-to-follow guides that help readers achieve their goals.
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