MATERIALS • PROCESSES • FINISHES
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hemical etching is a metal machining technology that has numerous advantages over traditional sheet metalworking processes, key among which is its applicability to a range of metals and alloys – even ones that are difficult or even impossible to machine using traditional metal fabrication technologies. Here, Karl Hollis from Precision Micro answers the top questions design engineers should consider.
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What are the unique characteristics of chemical etching?
Chemical etching has the ability to manufacture burr- and stress-free precision metal parts with complex geometries while maintaining the flexibility to make last minute design changes, and mass-produce prototypes quickly. In addition to speed in production, chemical etching is often the most economical option for producing custom parts with complex designs and strict tolerances, as unlike other processes, cost does not increase with design complexity. Finally, the use of inexpensive and easily re-iterated photo-tools allows for low-cost trial and error of design configurations, again often not possible with other methods.
Karl Hollis from Precision Micro
Expert advice on a compelling metal machining technology
ETCHING METALS
ENGINEERS’ GUIDE TO
Which metals are suitable for chemical etching? Virtually any metal can be chemically etched, but as with most metal machining processes, some are easier to etch than others. Demand from industry often focuses on metals that have attractive attributes, and it is on these metals that Precision Micro’s efforts are focussed to ensure its processes are developed in line with its customers’ and their markets’ demands.
How do you etch titanium? Titanium is lightweight, strong, has excellent fatigue performance, as well as offering high resistance in aggressive environments. Tese favourable properties, however, prove to be a problem when machining. Titanium’s high strength, low thermal conductivity, and chemical reactivity with traditional tool materials (at elevated temperatures) considerably reduces tool life when machining. Its relatively low Young’s modulus leads to spring-back and chatter, causing poor surface quality on the finished product. In addition, during turning and drilling, long continuous chips are
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