Acid Etching Stainless Steel

Stainless steel etching using chemical milling or acid etching is a popular alternative to other forms of metal fabrication such as stamping laser marking or water jet cutting as it uses minimal mechanical processes and it.

Acid etching stainless steel.

You can etch stainless steel mild steel or high carbon steel. Ferric chloride works best on copper brass and nickel silver and stainless steel. A resist is applied to the metal then the metal is dipped into the acid until the desired effect is achieved. Following are instructions on how to acid etch steel.

Stainless steel etching is the process of using corrosive chemicals to etch complex shapes from sheets of stainless steel metal. Acid etching stainless steel. Nitric acid works well on most metals. Although not as fine a metal as copper steel is finer than zinc and it is also more durable particularly when used as a printing plate.

It is also highly durable requires little maintenance and can be recycled. Stainless steel remains one of the most popular metals advanced chemical etching produce acid etched components in due in part to is outstanding corrosion and oxidisation resistance. The acid will slowly eat away layers of the metal and it will flake off leaving exposed areas that create a design. Stainless steel can be etched using ferric chloride mixed with water which creates a hydrochloric acid.

Fecl3 will etch darn near any metal including iron and nickel based alloys stainless steel copper brass and zinc to list a few. Copper sulfate best for mild steels. An explanation of engraving etching and intaglios. Stainless steel can be milled into any shape or thickness we can etch materials down to 0003 inches and can be produced in any custom design or pattern.

Stainless steel etching is a highly accurate process that produces parts with a high level of complexity with no mechanical stress placed on the material. Which type of steel you etch will determine the. Several kinds of steel can be etched with acid including both mild steel and stainless steel. The process we refer to as acid etching is a well known ancient and reliable industrial process that uses various commonly available mordant acids and chemical compounds to impart a physical or an aesthetic improvement to the surface of stainless steel.

Mix it with a 1 1 ratio of common table salt to prevent a fine layer of copper sulfate from coating the metal and preventing proper etching. Preparing the steel for etching. Acid etching of stainless steel enables clients to benefit from the corrosion resistant properties of this material. Don t be sloppy it ll stain just about everything brown including your skin and clothing.

Choose the type of steel you want to etch. Acid etching stainless steel can produce multi complex profile shapes with burr free edges no finishing required. Several kinds of steel can be etched with acid including both mild steel and stainless steel.