Industrial Chemical Etchant
Industrial chemical etchants for ferrous and non-ferrous metals including ferric chloride, cupric chloride and nitric acid based solutions, with process guidance and safe handling notes.
What this service covers
Industrial Chemical Etchant is carried out by photo etching. A photographic resist is applied to the metal sheet, the pattern is transferred by exposure and development, and the unprotected metal is dissolved by a controlled etchant. The result is burr free detail, repeatable tolerances and no tooling cost for complex shapes, which makes it well suited to prototypes, short runs and intricate geometries that are difficult to machine.
Materials we etch
We etch brass, copper, aluminium, 304, 316 and 302 stainless steel, nickel, titanium and low carbon steel. For every material we select the etchant and process window that avoids distortion, hydrogen embrittlement and excessive undercut, so hole size, wall thickness and flatness stay within specification across the batch.
Industries served
Industrial equipment and instrumentation, automotive and rail, electronics and control panels, oil and gas filtration, architecture and interior decoration, medical and laboratory equipment, and identification and signage. Parts are commonly supplied as nameplates, data plates, screens, meshes, filters, gaskets, stencils, shims, washers and decorative panels.
Key technical parameters
Etched thickness typically ranges from 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm. Minimum feature width and minimum web depend on material and thickness, and we confirm manufacturability against your drawing before tooling. Tolerance on the etched profile is typically plus or minus 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm depending on part size and process. Parts are supplied deburred, cleaned, and passivated where the material and application require it.
How to request a quotation
Send the drawing in DXF, DWG, STEP or PDF format together with the material and grade, the thickness, the quantity and the required delivery date. We will confirm feasibility, propose the process and return a quotation. Sample lead time is typically 3 to 7 working days, and batch production timing depends on volume and current capacity. Drawings are treated as confidential and are not shared with third parties.
Read the frequently asked questions below for materials, tolerances, lead times and ordering.
Related resources
Industrial Chemical Etchant — FAQ
Which etchant is used for stainless steel?
Ferric chloride is the most common etchant for stainless steel and works particularly well on 304 and 316 grades. Cupric chloride is used where a faster or more controllable etch rate is wanted, and nitric-acid-based solutions are used in specialist applications. The correct choice depends on the grade, the surface condition and the required etch rate.
Which etchant is used for copper and brass?
Ferric chloride and cupric chloride both etch copper and brass well. Because copper is softer than stainless steel, the etch rate is faster and the window for acceptable undercut is narrower, so the process window has to be controlled more tightly.
What affects the etch rate?
Etchant concentration and temperature are the two main controls, together with the agitation of the bath and the surface condition of the metal. Temperature is the faster lever: a modest increase in temperature raises the rate noticeably. Consistent agitation keeps the rate uniform and reduces the risk of uneven undercut.
What safety precautions are required?
Etchants are corrosive and, in the case of nitric acid, also an oxidiser. Appropriate gloves, eye and face protection, chemical-resistant clothing and fume extraction are required, together with a documented handling procedure and a spill plan. Sodium hydroxide and other neutralising agents must be kept well away from any mixing with acid.
How do I dispose of spent etchant?
Spent etchant must be neutralised and treated as hazardous waste, never discharged to the drain. Copper and nickel-bearing baths in particular carry heavy-metal obligations. We can supply the treatment sequence for the specific bath chemistry so it can be handed to a licensed waste contractor with the right documentation.