![\"Metal](\"https:\/\/metaletching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Etching.jpg\" "\\"Metal")
\nBelow is a more specific description of the chemical etching process for parts such as lead frames, EMI\/RFI shielding, springs, contacts, heat exchangers, filters, and many more industrial applications.<\/p>\n
\n\t\tAcid Metal Etching Process For Industrial Parts\n\t<\/h2>\n\t
Photochemical etching is the prototyping choice for engineers when their designs are complex and must be free from burrs or stress deformation. The use of acids to dissolve unwanted metal eliminates the hard tooling and force present in other machining processes.<\/p>\n\t
Which Metals are Commonly Used for Acid Etching?<\/h2>\n
Which metals can be acidly etched?\u00a0 When producing parts, it is important to know a metal’s properties because specific metals will be more suitable depending on the application. Here are the more common metals we use in the acid process:<\/p>\n
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- Copper<\/strong> – Copper<\/a> is a softer metal and therefore will etch faster than metals with a harder composition.\u00a0 Copper is commonly used for electronic components because it has good electrical and thermal conductivity.<\/li>\n
- Brass<\/strong> – Brass is made of copper and zinc. It etches easily and retains its strength.<\/li>\n
- Stainless Steel<\/strong> – Stainless steel etching<\/a> is easier than most metals to etch and is very versatile. It is corrosion-resistant and performs well in hot and cold temperatures.<\/li>\n
- Beryllium Copper<\/strong> – Beryllium copper is stronger than regular copper and has electrical and thermal conductivity.<\/li>\n
- Cold-rolled steel <\/strong>– Cold-rolled steel retains its shape well and has an aesthetically pleasing surface and strength.<\/li>\n
- Aluminum<\/strong> – Aluminum etching<\/a> is ideal because of its strength-to-weight ratio.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/metaletching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/photo-etching-metal.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe list of metals encompasses all of the metals suitable<\/a> for acid etching. However, as previously stated, being familiar with the types of metals and their properties can help you select the appropriate material for any acid etching project. It is essential to remember that the process does not alter a metal’s properties, leave burrs, or cause stress deformations.<\/p>\n
Here’s a look at some of the most common types of parts that we etch and how acid metal etching is an excellent manufacturing option.<\/p>\n
Acid Etched Metal Parts<\/h2>\n
EMI\/RFI Shielding<\/h3>\n
![\"Shielding\"](\"https:\/\/metaletching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/shutterstock_174887039-1024x402.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nElectronic devices are becoming increasingly complex and require greater protection from outside interference. Electronic shielding<\/a> changes are common, and prototyping has become an integral part of product development. Photo etching<\/a> as the metal fabrication process makes sense for prototyping because the tooling is inexpensive and easily adjustable. Chemical etching capabilities can create a half-etch depth of 50% of the metal thickness to make bend lines. Instead of using an expensive forming tool, the shieling cans can be formed by hand.<\/p>\n
Filters<\/h3>\n
![\"Stainless](\"https:\/\/metaletching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/20190123163537-1-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/p>\nOne of the benefits of etching steel filters used in the electronics industry<\/a> is to save time and money. The intricate holes and slots are etched simultaneously, so the cost remains the same for one opening or a thousand. When it comes to filtering liquids in the food processing industry, metal etching can be used to create tiny pores in metal filters. These pores are small enough to remove impurities from water, but they don’t significantly decrease water flow. Metal etching can quickly produce conical holes, aiding in liquid filtration and backflow cleaning.<\/p>\n
Heat exchanger plates<\/h3>\n
![\"Chemical](\"https:\/\/metaletching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Photo-etched-heat-exchanger-plate-1024x683.png\")
<\/p>\nThe benefits of choosing the photo etching process<\/a> for these parts are two-fold. Heat exchanger plates require a partial etch on the metal’s surface to create gas or fluidic flow channels and etched through inlet and outlet holes. These features can be manufactured in the same production run with the same tooling, saving time and money.<\/p>\n
Electronic Components<\/h3>\n
![\"chemical](\"https:\/\/metaletching.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Phosporus-Bronze-photo-etching-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAcid metal etching of electronic components such as connectors, contacts, bus bars, shims<\/a> and springs is crucial to prevent burrs that can interfere with the function<\/a>. Etching creates the needed sharp edge on the metal. Additionally, the metal’s properties do not change during the etching process. These capabilities are essential for electronic components to ensure they function correctly. Metal etching is a precise process that can produce very intricate designs. It is also relatively fast and inexpensive, making it attractive for many manufacturing applications.<\/p>\n
Custom Acid Metal Etching<\/h3>\n
Etching has many benefits over other manufacturing processes<\/a> when producing unique, intricate, or numerous features. A custom manufacturer can machine the parts exact to print, including half-etched features such as bend lines or multiple holes or slots etched simultaneously without extra cost.<\/p>\n
At Advanced Metal Etching, we offer a wide range of etching solutions to companies across multiple industries. We have been a custom manufacturer of burr-free metal parts for nearly 30 years. We pride ourselves on being responsive and flexible supply chain partners serving many industries with prototypes to full-scale production. Get your prototype in as little as 24 hours!<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\tGet Custom Made Parts Fast!\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRequest A Quote\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Acid Metal Etching-Benefits for Industrial Components Acid etching is a process when material, such as metal, is cut using specifically formulated acid. There are two types of acid used in the process, ferric chloride and cupric chloride (used for copper alloys).\u00a0 Acid etching metal is a non-contact process.\u00a0 The acid dissolves the metal sections around […]<\/p>\n
- Brass<\/strong> – Brass is made of copper and zinc. It etches easily and retains its strength.<\/li>\n