Product Notes

Uses of Copper Compounds: Other Copper Compounds

Copper Acetates

Basic copper acetate (verdigris) was at one time made in France by interleaving copper metal sheets with fermented grape skins and dregs left after wine manufacture. After some time when the copper sheets had become coated with verdigris they were removed, exposed to the air for a few days and then replaced. This process was repeated until the whole sheet had become corroded. The resulting product was known as blue verdigris and was used as a fungicide at 1 kg basic copper acetate in 500 litres water.

Present manufacture is based on the action of acetic acid on copper metal, copper oxide or copper carbonate. They can also be prepared by treating a copper sulphate solution with lead acetate. Copper acetates are used as an intermediate in the manufacture of Paris green (cupric aceto-arsenite); as a catalyst in a number of organic reactions including rubber aging; as a chemical in textile dyeing; and as a pigment for ceramics. Copper acetates have also been used for impregnating kraft paper to produce an anti-tarnish wrapping paper for high grade silver ware.

Cuprous Oxide

Can be produced either electrolytically from copper or by the action of alkaline reducing agents on copper sulphate solutions. Formulated proprietary brands of cuprous oxide are extensively employed as fungicides and seed dressings. Another important application is in anti-fouling paints. Other uses include the colouring of porcelain and glass.

Cupric Oxide (black copper oxide)

Can be produced either by adding caustic soda to hot copper sulphate solutions or by treating copper scale with nitric acid and heating to redness. Cupric oxide is used in the ceramic industry for imparting blue, green or red tints in glasses, glazes and enamels. It is occasionally employed for incorporation in mineral supplements for insuring against an insufficiency of copper in the diet of animals. Among its other uses is the preparation of cuprammonium hydroxide solutions for the rayon industry.

Cupric Chloride

Obtained either by dissolving cupric oxide in hydrochloric acid or by the action of chlorine on copper. Its principal use is in the petroleum industry for sweetening (catalytic oxidation of the mercaptans) and as an ingredient of catalysts for other chemical processes. It is also used as a mordant in calico printing and dyeing.

Copper Oxychloride

Is a basic copper chloride and is usually manufactured either by the action of hydrochloric acid on copper metal or by the air oxidation of cuprous chloride suspensions. It has a number of applications, by far the most important being as an agricultural fungicide for which purpose it is extensively employed in formulated form as dusts, wettable powders and pastes.

Cuprous Chloride

Prepared either by heating a solution of cupric chloride with copper turnings or by the action of a reducing agent, such as sulphur dioxide, on a mixture of common salt and copper sulphate solution. The petroleum industry uses cuprous chloride in their "oil sweetening" process. Ammoniacal solutions of cuprous chloride are employed for the absorption of any carbon monoxide which may be present in a gas as an impurity.

Cupric Nitrate

Produced either by dissolving copper carbonate in nitric acid or direct from copper and nitric acid. It has a number of small uses, such as in ceramics, in dyeing as a mordant, in fireworks and in photography.

Copper Cyanide

Manufactured from sodium cyanide and copper sulphate. It is mainly used for copper electroplating.

Copper Soaps

Usually made by the interactlon of the corresponding soap with copper sulphate solution. Small quantities of these, such as copper stearate, copper oleate and copper abietate (from resins), are employed mainly for rot-proofing textiles, ropes, etc. They are also used in paints as they are soluble in oils, white spirits, etc.

Copper Naphthenate

Usually manufactured either from copper sulphate and naphthenic acid in combination with an alkali or by heating naphthenic acid and copper oxide. It is widely used as an oil-based wood preservative and as a rot-proofing agent.

Anhydrous and Monohydrated Copper Sulphate

Obtained by heating copper sulphate pentahydrate when four molecules water of crystallization are removed the product becomes copper sulphate monohydrate which is green in colour. At a higher temperature all the water of crystallization is removed and anhydrous copper sulphate is the white powder which results. They can also be obtained by crystallization from copper sulphate pentahydrate in boiling sulphuric acid. The main applications are in the production of proprietary wood preservatives and agricultural fungicides as well as for the production of a number of copper compounds. Sometimes they are utilised to detect the presence of moisture.

Metal Etching Using Copper Sulfate

Guaranteed Precision

The Improved Copper Sulfate Metal Etching Solution - Add Water

We continue to offer pure Copper Sulfate Crystals at wholesale prices for use in metal etching.

The improved Copper Sulfate Metal Etching product with an added catalyst  to enhance  performance, sharpen etching detail and extend the working life of the solution.Copper Sulfate is in stock and available for purchase on our Product Ordering page.

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HOW Copper Sulfate WORKS for Etching: 
Research and experimentation has led to a better solution for those who use straight copper sulfate for a metal etching solution. The traditional (non-copper sulfate) etching process uses harmful acids which release toxic vapors and require special handleing and practices. The use of a copper sulfate solution for etching has always been safer than the alternative and copper sulfate use for metal etching is steadily growing.. however, RXSOL Copper Sulfate provides what many feel are practical improvements over using plain copper sulfate in a metal etching solution. A saturated solution of plain copper sulfate crystals is an excellent mordant for zinc, aluminum, copper, brass and mild steel, but due to lack of a catalyst, etching is somewhat slow and the solution becomes exhausted quickly. The use of RXSOL Copper Sulfate instead of plain copper sulfate enhances the electrolytic eroding potential of copper sulfate to be harnessed more fully. We offer this outstanding alternative solution, RXSOL Copper Sulfate, pre-mixed and measured - Just add water!

The RXSOL Copper Sulfate solution activates the etch by diminishing the bond with water. Our RXSOL Copper Sulfate for etching zinc, aluminum, copper, brass and mild steel is about three times more active than a straight copper sulfate solution; it also produces a very crisp etch. During biting a coppery sediment of metal hydroxides and oxides floats to the surface, thus keeping the bitten work from clogging up. Etching can also be aided by occasionally brushing the plate surface with a soft brush; delicate marks, such as a spray aquatint or soft ground should, however, be etched without brushing. RXSOL Copper Sulfate works more effectively if floating solids are regularly skimmed off with a brush or strainer and removed from the bath. This keeps the solution from turning alkaline and extends its usable life. 

 MATERIALS

Products and Equipment needed to improve your etching experience:

• RXSOL Copper Sulfate

• supply of hot water

• heavy-duty gloves

• safety goggles

• dust mask

• wooden stick or stiff plastic brush for mixing

• bucket

• etching tray
   

 METHOD

Mix Copper Sulfate as follows. (This example is for 4 pounds of RXSOL Copper Sulfate.)

As always put on gloves, dust mask, and safety goggles when handling even the safest of chemicals.

1. Place RXSOL Copper Sulfate powder into a bucket or straight into the chosen etching tray.

2. Add 1 gallon of hot water and stir with a wooden stick or a stiff brush. The solution turns into a green sludge.

3. Then add 1 gallon of warm water stirring continuously. Most of the crystals should dissolve within 5 to 10 minutes of mixing, producing a dark green liquid.

Copper Sulfate Foot Bath for Livestock

Copper Sulfate for Foot Bath & Treatment of Foot Rot in Sheep & Cattle

For Foot Bath, Copper Sulfate can be used in a 5% to 10% solution (by weight) with immersion 3 or 4 times per week or for a period of time as prescribed by your veterinarian. The Copper Sulfate foot bath solution should be changed every 150 to 200 cows depending on the concentration of copper sulfate, use of a pre-bath, and comtamination of the bath.  Determine the volume of the hoof bath and calculate the amount of Copper Sulfate carefully.  Do not use more Copper Sulfate than is recommended by your veterinarian.  By placing a clean water bath in front of the treatment bath, the animals will clean their hoofs to some extent and keep the hoof bath effective for a longer period of time.  If your veterinarian recommends hoof bath, use as an aid in the treatment of foot rot in cattle.  Hoof baths should only be part of an overall program that includes proper nutrition, regular hoof trimming, and hoof injury prevention.  Keep animals out of wet, muddy or stony areas where hoofs can soften and be injured.