All of us actually have been seeing the art of precision metal etching for almost several centuries. It is extremely ancient but because of its reliability, it has become one of the most common processes.
However, it is an old technique but it allows manufacturing companies to generate permanent designs on the metal surfaces. Further, metal etching is highly longer-lasting in comparison to other design processes.
Basically, it is an ideal technique for visual graphics on the metal surface. So, we are here to describe to you more about this process. Moreover, you will also learn which etching method provides high precision in the etching process?
Precision metal etching is a greatly precise manufacturing process that is helpful to create high precision metal parts. Moreover, this process has also known as electrochemical etching and photo etching. It is actually the process of producing any graphic or design on the surface of the metal.
Additionally, it creates the designs with the help of removing some of the metal. You can also say that it is not printed onto the surface but has embedded into the metal. That allows it for an extremely superior level of longevity and durability.
Further, this process makes use of acid baths in order to remove material and produce the final design. Generally, the process of precision metal etching includes 5 steps such as,
The process of metal etching includes steel, copper, aluminum, and several other metals for etching. Further, it has 5 additional features:
Basically, this process provides a rapid economical alternative to punching, stamping, laser as well as water jet cutting. In addition, this process can design at tight tolerance components from nearly any thin gauge metal to 1.5mm thick.
This popular technique is ideal to use in manufacturing intricate aerospace parts in the aerospace industry. Actually, this process is a great alternative when mechanical machining is not an option. And the metal removal and finish have to be uniform.
As compared to several other techniques for micro-manufacturing like,
It provides a shorter lead time as well as more design flexibility. Moreover, it has no need for deburring.
Metal etching can provide great accuracy up to ±0.025mm. Additionally, it only undergoes a chemical reaction where manufacturers need to expose areas to erode.
This process is also popular as acid etching. Furthermore, it is an ancient and highly reliable industrial technique that makes use of,
to do the job. The word mordant refers to the original liquids that are used in etching the metal. In fact, the process of precision metal etching uses many different acids that help to etch steel, stainless steel, and other metals. For example, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, and sulfuric acid.
But you should have awareness of all necessary careful handling for using it. As all of these acids have the ability to dissolve metals as well as human fingers. Moreover, the chemicals that can form acid in water can also be used as etching chemicals.
Additionally, these chemicals also can work much faster in comparison to acids. Here is a detail about some compounds that help to chemically etch metals. Let’s check out!
You can mix ferric chloride with water in a one-to-one ratio. Further, this mixture will form hydrochloric acid in solution.
Precision metal etching uses this solution to etch metal, copper as well as perfectly works on stainless steel. But you should have to handle it carefully because it can cause some surface damage like pitting can occur to the stainless-steel surface.
It is best to mix in a ratio of 1-part nitric acid to 3 parts of clean water.
This acid is helpful to etch mild steel in comparison to stainless steel. You have to mix copper sulfate in a one-to-one ratio with sodium chloride. The sodium chloride (salt) is actually useful to stop the copper from developing a layer of copper on the etched surface.
Moreover, copper sulfate is a special kind of blue solution. It is helpful to gradually fade to a transparent colorless liquid when the process of etching takes place.
Chemical precision metal etching is an ideal process for a huge range of materials. Actually, you can use any metal for chemical etching. Such as:
A wide range of Ferritic, Austenitic, and Martensitic Stainless Steels, Mild steel, Tool steel, Spring steel, etc.
Mu-Metal, Invar, Inconel, and Alloy 42 (Nilo 42).
It Includes Aerospace/Aircraft grades
Molybdenum, Phosphor Bronze, Nickel Silver, Beryllium Copper, Brass, and several kinds of other material, etc.
In fact, chemical etching is an ideal as well as an extremely accurate manufacturing process for producing high precision metal parts. moreover, it is a high precision subtractive process. it makes use of temperature-regulated etching chemicals baths in order to remove material on a selective basis. Further, this precision metal etching process is useful to create high precision metal parts in which shape you want.
It is a highly cost-effective technique and an excellent choice for manufacturing greatly accurate metal parts.
Basically, precision metal etching designs are permanent. Moreover, if you have made any mistakes in your designs then you have to be got creative. It will really help you to cover your design faults.
So, you can add anything interesting or creative like an attractive butterfly strategically place to cover your faults. While if your design has some serious mistakes or you don't like the design at all, there is no choice. But you have to replace this material.
Both of the processes such as precision metal etching and engraving are the techniques of cutting lines into hard surfaces. In fact, both processes have one main difference.
It is a chemical process. It utilizes some acid solutions to etch designs into the surface. Basically, it is an ideal technique for complex and precision designs. This technique is a perfect choice for:
On the other hand, engraving is a physical process. It directly cuts into specific surfaces by using special sharp tools. It is actually a traditional method. This technique is useful for different components and parts as well as helpful in jewelry, guns, and several other decorative parts.
Nowadays this process can be performed by using hands or a laser.
Furthermore, silver is a highly popular metal that is best to use for both processes. However, photo-etching silver is a great way of creating parts that are greatly used in a broad spectrum of industries.
The precision metal etching process has become an essential need for a wide range of industries. Further, it is best to use in medical instruments, modern electronics, and the automotive industry. It is real fact that this technique is highly beneficial than several other modern techniques.
This process is useful for almost any metal and takes less lead-time. Basically, it has extreme reliability and low cost.
