Stainless Steel Etching
Stainless Steel Etching
The stainless steel etching process is one of the most popular services among customers from various industries in photochemical etching. It primarily uses the strong oxidizing properties of chemical solutions like ferric chloride to chemically etch stainless steel sheets, precisely creating various shapes and patterns. The principle involves covering the areas that do not need etching with photosensitive ink, exposing the areas that need etching, and using chemical solutions to etch away the unwanted parts.
Founded in 2011, TMN has been providing high-quality stainless steel etching solutions to customers from various industries across the country. With years of etching experience, we can offer you both half-etching and full-etching services. If you have more demanding processing needs, we can even provide double-depth etching on one side, offering more possibilities for your products.
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TMN's metal-etching stainless steel precision parts
TMN's stainless steel etching process is suitable for any metal parts with a thickness between 0.03mm and 3.0mm. Currently it has been exported to different countries around the world, the main markets are the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, France, Hungary, Israel, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, etc.
Fuel cell bipolar plate
Stainless steel etching offers significant advantages in the manufacture of fuel cell bipolar plates. Due to the role and importance of bipolar plates in fuel cell stacks, their material must meet requirements such as high electrical conductivity, high mechanical strength, high stability, corrosion resistance, low cost, ease of manufacturing, and light weight. Therefore, stainless steel has become the best choice.
TMN's stainless steel etching process not only ensures the advantageous properties of metal bipolar plates but also provides double-depth channels (for a bipolar plate with a total thickness of 2.0mm, it can etch 0.6mm and 0.4mm deep channels on one side and 0.5mm deep channels on the other side). Additionally, surface plating can offer platinum plating on one side and MMO (Mixed Metal Oxide) plating on the other side, along with laser welding manufacturing technology.
Nameplates , Tags , Safety Plates
Compared to traditional manufacturing methods, stainless steel etching offers many unique advantages for making nameplates, labels, signs, and panels.
First, the etching process provides very high precision and detail, which is especially important for nameplates and labels that need complex patterns and fine text.
Traditional methods find it hard to achieve the same level of detail, but etching ensures every detail is clear, whether it's small text or intricate graphics.
Second, the etching process excels in durability and longevity. Patterns and text created through chemical etching do not fade or wear out over time, making them suitable for outdoor use and high-wear environments.
In contrast, traditional printing methods are easily affected by environmental factors, leading to faded or peeling patterns, and mechanical engraving may wear out due to physical abrasion.
Additionally, the etching process is also environmentally friendly and efficient. Modern etching technology uses improved chemical treatments and recycling systems, significantly reducing waste and harmful emissions, aligning with the current trend of green manufacturing.
On the other hand, traditional methods like mechanical engraving produce metal shavings, and improper disposal of chemical waste from printing processes can cause environmental pollution.
Learn more about etching nameplates , tags , safety plates >>>
Mesh screens, filters, and sieves
Stainless steel etching offers several advantages over traditional processes for manufacturing meshes, filters, and sieves. Firstly, it enables precision and complexity in design, allowing for the creation of intricate patterns and shapes with high accuracy.
This customization is facilitated by the flexibility of etching, which permits tailored adjustments in mesh sizes, shapes, and configurations to meet specific application requirements. Additionally, etching produces clean, burr-free edges, ensuring uniformity and minimizing the risk of contamination.
Moreover, the non-contact nature of etching preserves the material integrity of stainless steel, enhancing mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Stainless steel etching can achieve precise control over material thickness, typically ranging from a fraction of a millimeter to several millimeters, depending on the specific etching process and equipment used.
While initial setup costs may be higher, the efficiency of etching in material utilization leads to cost-effectiveness over time. Lastly, the versatility of stainless steel etching allows for application across a wide range of stainless steel alloys, catering to diverse industrial needs.
Benefits of Stainless Steel Etching
Corrosion resistance, high strength, heat resistance, hygiene, aesthetics, recyclability, and wear resistance make it a preferred material in many industries:
Corrosion resistance
It can resist most chemicals, including acids, bases, and salts. This makes stainless steel very stable in wet and corrosive environments, extending its lifespan.
High strength
By controlling the amount of alloy elements and heat treatment, the strength of stainless steel can be adjusted to meet different needs.
Heat resistance
Some stainless steel alloys can maintain structural stability and strength in high-temperature environments. Therefore, they are widely used in high-temperature equipment and heat treatment processes.
Hygiene
Its smooth surface does not easily attract bacteria and dirt, making it easy to clean and disinfect, meeting hygiene standards. Thus, it is widely used in medical, food processing, and pharmaceutical fields.
Aesthetics
Stainless steel has a beautiful appearance and a modern feel, often used in building decoration, furniture making, and art creation. Its appearance can be customized through polishing, sandblasting, and coloring to meet different design needs.
Wear resistance
Stainless steel has high wear resistance, maintaining surface integrity and durability under friction and wear. This makes it important for making wear-resistant parts and engineering structures.
The basic process of stainless steel etching
Pre-treatment of raw materials, including degreasing, polishing, and wire drawing.
Redesigning the stainless steel plate according to customer requirements, exposing the corrosive area and protecting the non-corrosive area.
The photo etching process using the strong oxidizing property of ferric chloride to etch out various shapes and patterns.
Removing the resist, eliminating the photosensitive film from the non-corrosive area.
In the final step, cleaning the sheet and applying a protective film to safeguard the stainless steel.
What is the difference between etching and engraving stainless steel?
Advantages over traditional metal sheet processing techniques:
1. Avoids deformation or material property changes: Since the process doesn’t involve pressure or cutting, no force or heat is generated during processing, perfectly preserving the characteristics of stainless steel.
2. High precision: The process uses computer-designed patterns and markings, allowing the production of extremely fine and complex parts, ideal for high-precision applications such as medical devices and electronic components.
3. High flexibility: It can process stainless steel materials of any thickness or shape, especially thin metal sheets, which traditional metal processing techniques are not suitable for.
Read related article: Stainless Steel Etching Process: How to Choose Stainless Steel Etching
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