The alloy metal etching has also known as chemical etching. Further, it is famous as another name like photo etching. It is an extremely special metal machining technology. Moreover, it has countless advantages over conventional sheet metalworking.
It easily can produce stress and burr-free precision metal components that have complicated geometries. Today, we are here to provide you some useful knowledge that you want to learn about this beneficial process. As well, how do you do this type of metal etching?
It is a subtractive metal machining technique that uses etchant chemistry to create highly accurate and complex metal components. The alloy metal etching can maintain the flexibility to make changes even at last-minute design. Moreover, it can produce mass prototypes quickly.
Basically, it has a field of application to a wide range of alloys and metals. It is actually suitable for those alloys that are not possible to etch by using traditional technologies of metal fabrication.
It is a more convenient and most economical choice for producing custom parts with strict tolerances and intricate designs. Further, if we compare it to other techniques it is an ideal choice to increase design complexity at a low cost.
The alloy metal etching provides an inexpensive and rapid alternative to punching, stamping, water jet, and laser cutting. The process of etching needs no heat or force. However, it makes sure that designed parts have unaltered material properties.
In fact, the sample of polished metal can't show structural characteristics. So, we do an etching process on the metal surfaces to make visible the crystalline structure of the metal. Moreover, it is useful to create optical contrast between several components.
Basically, etchants have composed of inorganic or organic acids and many other complex substances inside a solvent like,
Over the last few years, countless new reagents have been introduced for particular materials and purposes. So, you should choose them carefully in order to reveal the desirable structure.
Most metals are etched in alloy metal etching with the help of ferric chloride that is a recyclable etchant. Moreover, it is also very safe and harmless to use. In addition, you can regenerate as well as reuse it.
There are also some more proprietary etchants like nitric acid. It is helpful to use for specific alloys and metals.
It is useful to etch stainless steel as well as many other metal sheets. In fact, by using vinegar, you can easily etch logo, text, and images that you want to etch. So, it is very simple to etch with the help of vinegar.
You are free to etch your designs with great accuracy without going to the workshop. Actually, vinegar is an ideal choice for alloy metal etching the stainless steel. It ideally works when you warm it to about 100°F.
Furthermore, vinegar can't noticeably affect the stainless steel. Plain white vinegar is a perfect choice but several kinds of vinegar can also ideally work.
Yes, metal etching designs are permanent. So, you easily can make your metal parts more attractive by adding some creativity. Moreover, if you have occurred some faults in your designs, you can cover them by adding a specific shape.
But if there is a serious mistake, you have to replace the entire metal piece. Further, you will also have to replace the whole metal piece, if you don't like the design. Since there is no choice except it.
But if there is a very small mistake, you can cover it by adding a small dot of clear nail polish. Actually, the mistake or fault will cover this small mistake.
Basically, the process of alloy metal etching is very simple. The whole process is done in 9 particular steps. These steps are:
Let’s explain them briefly!
In fact, you can etch all metals that you want according to your requirements. You can use more than 2,000 metal types with thicknesses from 0.010mm – 1.5mm. Further, the size of sheets can be up to 600mm x 1500mm.
You have to chemically clean and degrease the material that you have selected for etching. Actually, it is necessary to remove waxes, rolling oils, and debris from the metal surfaces. Additionally, it is an extremely important step in the alloy metal etching process.
Since it helps to get high precision quality results.
In this step, you apply photo-sensitive hinder to the sheet in class 10,000 clean conditions. You perform it by using automated cut-sheet-lamination. You must have to develop this process for improving adhesion.
Additionally, it is necessary for getting blemish-free and highly repeatable components.
You should use laser direct imaging (LDI). Basically, it is highly accurate than traditional photo-tooling. The designs have to be transferred to the photo-resist by exposing the desired sheet to UV rays.
The unexpected hinder should remove to expose the raw metal. Hence, the remaining photo-resist, which has been hardened with the help of UV light can protect the part during etching.
In this step of alloy metal etching, you spray the etch-chemistry on the developed sheet. Moreover, you have to determine the etch-time by using the following technician variables like,
Now you have to remove the rest photo-resist from the sheet in order to disclose the etched part.
You must have to inspect the component dimensionally and visually. If you have done all steps with high accuracy, you will get the level of Six Sigma standard that has supported by a best-in-class in-house metrology facility.
In this final step of alloy metal etching, you should combine etching with in-house finishing and forming. Further, it offers a single-source supply of 3-D, bonded, polished, as well as plated components.
Actually, etching takes place as the base or acid gets in contact with the surface of the sample. It happens because of the difference in the rate of attack of the many different phases present and their orientation.
Furthermore, the process of etching completes by just applying the proper solution to the sample surface for certain seconds to certain minutes.
In fact, there are several kinds of etching in the manufacturing industry. But each process has its own value and importance. Moreover, each type of etching has been believed as an original work. It is not a copy of any technique.
Basically, identifying the alloy metal etching may be a challenge for you and for several experts. But don't worry, you should struggle with extreme consistency. If you do so, you will become a greatly experienced collector of art.
Here are some tips for you to identify etching. So, let's share them!
Laser etching and engraving can remove the portion of the surface area as it has been marked. The main difference between laser engraving and alloy metal etching is its depth to which the laser can greatly penetrate the surface.
