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How to Separate Metals From Circuit Boards

Circuit boards and other common computer parts contain a small amount of gold and other precious metals. If you have the time and equipment, separating these metals from circuit boards can become a very lucrative venture. The process of separating metals from these boards involve the use of caustic chemicals, a detail that may make some people uneasy about recycling circuit boards. In most cases, there are no problems as long as you wear the proper safety equipment.

Things You'll Need

2 1-gallon containers
1 jar circuit board stripping powder
Kitchen strainer

Instructions

- 1
  Pour the jar of circuit board stripping powder into the one-gallon container. Dilute the powder with enough water to create one gallon of solution.
- 2
  Lower the circuit boards into the solution bath. Allow the boards to soak in the solution for 6 to 8 hours.
- 3
  Remove the circuit boards from the solution bath. Rinse the wrinkled gold flakes into another container.
- 4
  Recover the gold flakes by filtering the rinse water with a kitchen strainer. Dry the flakes, and then melt and refine them as normal.

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