Metal etching is the process of using acid or chemicals to cut into the uncovered parts of a metal surface. This is for the purpose of creating a design on that particular surface. You may also call it a design that is “incised” into the metal. Some of the known acids used in this type of etching are muriatic hydrochloric acid, Nitric acid, Sulfuric acid, and or copper sulfate. Here at Qualitetch, we use Ferric chloride which is the known professional choice for etching. It is good for creating very precise and intricate metal components.
Metal etching is a good alternative to stamping, laser cutting, water jet, or punching. It is also a fast alternate solution especially for fine complex metal components with measurements ranging from 0.0127mm to 1.60mm in thickness.
How does it work?
1.First, the metal is cut then it is cleaned. Next, a lamination of UV photo-sensitive resist is then applied. After that, It is printed using your CAD artwork design.
2.After the design is printed on the metal, it is then developed. During this process, it washes away unexposed photo-resist. What would be left is the metal profile track line that is to be etched through the metal.
3.When the etching of the profile is done, we remove the blue UV-photo-sensitive resist and allow the raw metal parts as either loose or tabbed into the large sheet.
Metal etching can be used on the following materials and alloys:
•Mild Steel
•Stainless Steel
•Spring Steels
•Molybdenum
•Copper
•Copper Alloys
•Aluminum
•Nickel and Nickel alloys
What Makes Metal Etching an Excellent Choice?
•Fast Processing time of within a few days.
•Photo etching does not create burr and is a stress-free process with no heat or mechanical force applied to the metal.
•Our etching process does not discriminate however complex of your design is. Components with many holes like mesh can be made at no additional cost just as it would in making a simple shape.
•The Artwork is done in CAD format and placed on an acetate photo tool. In case of any design change, it can be adjusted quickly and in a cost-effective manner. When you send a DXF of your requirement, we offer you FREE photo-tool artwork here at QUALITETCH. Others may have to charge you an additional £100.
•Tolerance starts at +-0.025mm depending on the kind of material and its thickness.