Metal Chemical Etching Services
Metal chemical etching services producing precise etched parts from brass, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, nickel and titanium, from prototype through to batch production.
What this service covers
Metal Chemical Etching Services 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
Metal Chemical Etching Services — FAQ
How does metal chemical etching differ from laser cutting?
Laser cutting is a subtractive process that melts and vaporises the metal, which leaves a heat-affected zone, a recast layer and a tapered edge. Chemical etching dissolves the metal uniformly with no heat input, so edges are square and burr-free and the part is not distorted. Etching is also far cheaper than laser for thin flat parts with many features.
What is the difference between fine etching and deep etching?
Fine etching produces a shallow, decorative or marking depth on the face of the sheet, typically a few hundredths of a millimetre. Deep etching etches through the full thickness, producing a through-part with the pattern formed in the wall of the hole. Through parts deliver the burr-free edge and full material removal that fine etching does not.
Can you etch parts that are not flat?
Chemical etching as a bulk process applies to flat sheet. Formed and machined components are usually etched in the flat state and then formed or machined, so that the pattern is applied before secondary operations. If you send us a formed part drawing we can advise on the most practical sequence.
What edge quality should I expect?
A chemically etched edge is square and free of the burr and recast layer typical of laser cutting. The wall angle is very slightly tapered, which is normally well within normal manufacturing tolerance and is acceptable for sealing faces in many applications.
How does photo etching compare with progressive die stamping?
Stamping is the right choice for very high volumes of simple parts where the tooling cost is recovered quickly. Photo etching is better for complex geometry, prototypes, short runs and any part where you do not want to commit to steel tooling. We can advise on the crossover volume for a given part.