Stainless Steel Etching
Stainless Steel Etching
Stainless steel etching refers to corroding the stainless steel sheet chemically, utilizing the strong oxidizing property of ferric chloride to etch out various shapes and patterns. It can be categorized into half etching and full etching, each with different depths and degrees, depending on the intended purpose. The main principle of photochemical etching of stainless steel involves covering the areas that do not require corrosion with photosensitive ink, exposing the areas that need to be corroded, and utilizing chemical solutions to corrode the unnecessary parts.
Stainless steel, being a corrosion-resistant metal, ensures that the chemical reagents used in the photo etching process do not affect the metal's performance. Photo etching stainless steel not only maintains the smooth and scratch-free surface of metal parts but also offers high precision and tight tolerance. For custom metal parts, stainless steel etching is an ideal process.
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.
Benefits of Stainless Steel Etching
Several advantages of the unique stainless steel etching process of TMN Etch include:
High productivity
Metal etching stainless steel offers high productivity, with the film being reusable for mass production several times, enabling completion within a few hours.
High productivity
Metal etching stainless steel offers high productivity, with the film being reusable for mass production several times, enabling completion within a few hours.
Customization:
Virtually all metals with different structures and thicknesses can be etched, with no restrictions on various pattern designs.
No burrs and pressure points
Photo etching stainless steel ensures no burrs, pressure points, or deformations, maintaining the material properties and product function.
High precision and tight tolerance
Stainless etching produces metal parts with high precision and tight tolerance, with control within 0.03mm for tolerance, micropore diameter, and wire diameter, and uniformity within +/-0.03mm.
Low-cost and fast speed:
The TMN stainless steel photo etching process offers fast research and development speeds, low development costs, and convenient design modifications without the need for expensive molds.
Applications of stainless Steel Etching
The stainless steel etching process is suited to pretty much any metal component between 0.01mm and 1.5mm in thickness.
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.
Fuel cell bipolar plate
Stainless steel etching is highly advantageous for manufacturing fuel cell bipolar plates. Firstly, it enables precise and uniform creation of intricate flow channel patterns, enhancing gas and coolant distribution. Additionally, the flexibility of etching allows for customization to meet specific fuel cell requirements, optimizing performance.
Moreover, stainless steel's inherent corrosion resistance is preserved through etching, ensuring long-term durability. Etching also allows for the fabrication of thin-profile plates, reducing stack weight and volume while maintaining structural integrity.
Despite potentially higher initial setup costs, the mass production capabilities of etching lead to long-term cost savings. Furthermore, stainless steel bipolar plates fabricated through etching are compatible with existing manufacturing processes, facilitating seamless integration into fuel cell stacks.
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