Stainless Steel Etching

TONGJIN Technology provides a market-leading stainless steel etching service, delivering millions of etched components each year to leading global names.
What is stainless steel etching?
Stainless steel etching is a machining process that uses chemical etchants to create complex and precise components from sheet stainless steel. It is a highly accurate and repeatable process with no mechanical burr or stress placed on the material. 

Etched stainless steel components

  • Springs, flexures
  • Flat metal speaker grilles
  • Custom speaker grilles
  • Automotive Treadplates
  • Meshes, filters and sieves
  • Automotive interior trim
  • Heat exchanger plates
  • Bipolar fuel cell plates 

At Tongjin Etching Company, we specialize in manufacturing custom metal speaker grilles that are high quality and reliable. We supply millions of speaker grilles each year for marques including BYD, Xiaopeng, Great Wall Auto...Our photochemical etching service offers complex speaker grille mesh patterns and high definition surface engraving more economically than stamping.

automotive Speaker Grilles

    Also Tongjin Etching company provide millions of stainless steel filter screen for high speed hair dryer, Vacuum cleaner, Slow Juicer, Coffee Maker...

    stainless steel filter screen
    Chemical etching offers a number of benefits for product applications that require economical complexity and stress and burr-free features, all delivered in short lead times.

    • Safety-critical springs and flexures used in satellites, ABS braking, biosensors and fuel injection can now flex millions of times because stainless steel etching does not alter the fatigue strength, recoil and flatness of spring steels.
    • Complex, corrosion-resistant micro-filters used in showerheads and insect meshes can be manufactured in economical production volumes, as etching only charges for the first hole.
    • Etching does not alter the surface finish of stainless steel and is specified for premium automotive interior trim applications, including speaker grilles, tread plates, badges and inlays.

      ETCHING BENEFITS

      TYPICAL APPLICATION

      Prototype to volume — fast Springs, flexures and diaphragms
      Unlimited complexity – you only pay for the first hole Meshes, filters and sieves
      No hard tooling Medical instruments
      Low-cost design iterations — fast Automotive interior trim
      Burr-and stress-free – metal properties unaffected Heat exchanger plates
      Lead-times in days, not months Bipolar fuel cell plates
      All steel grades Car speaker grilles
      Accuracy to ±0.025mm Audio Speaker Grilles

     

    Etched stainless steel components

    Chemical etching offers a number of benefits for product applications that require economical complexity and stress and burr-free features, all delivered in short lead times.

    Etching does not alter the surface finish of stainless steel and is specified for premium automotive interior trim applications, including speaker grilles, tread plates, badges and inlays.

    Safety-critical springs and flexures used in satellites, ABS braking, biosensors and fuel injection can now flex millions of times because stainless steel etching does not alter the fatigue strength, recoil and flatness of spring steels.

    Complex, corrosion-resistant micro-filters used in showerheads and insect meshes can be manufactured in economical production volumes, as etching only charges for the first hole.

    Chemical etching process: 10 frequently asked questions

    Want to ask a question about chemical etching or share a component drawing for technical review?


    Q1. What is the chemical etching process?
    The chemical etching process is a sheet metal machining process that is used to manufacture complex components with high levels of accuracy.Comprising nine steps, it works by printing the component design onto a photoresist mask which is laminated onto the metal.
    The areas of photoresist which have not been printed are developed, exposing the metal, which is subsequently etched away.
    Q2. What metals can be chemically etched?
    Almost any metal and metal alloy can undergo chemical etching. This includes steel and stainless steels, nickel, copper, aluminium.
    What makes photochemical etching so effective is that it works well on hard-to-machine metals, including highly corrosive-resistant metals such as titanium and its alloys.
    Q3. What chemical is used in etching?
    Most metals are etched using ferric chloride, a safe to use, recyclable etchant. Ferric chloride can be regenerated and reused.
    Other proprietary etchants such as nitric acid, are used for specialist metals and alloys.
    Q4. What sheet sizes and thicknesses can be etched?
    Sheet metals between 0.010mm and 1.5 mm thick can be etched. The thicker the sheet the longer it takes to etch, meaning metals above 1.5mm are uneconomical to process.
    Q5. How accurate is chemical etching?
    Excellent accuracy can be achieved with photochemical etching. Standard minimum etching tolerances are ±10% of the metal thickness being etched, to a minimum of ±0.025 mm.
    With development, greater accuracy can be achieved so it is encouraged that customers partner with TONGJIN Etching early in the design phase so an appropriate etching method can be developed.
    Q6. What are the benefits of chemical etching?
    Chemical etching is highly advantageous and offers many benefits. This process does not use mechanical force, unlike stamping which subjects sheet metals to extreme pressures. Nor does it put thermal stress on the cutting edge, unlike laser cutting.
    Alongside this, chemically etched parts remain flat, burr- and stress-free, leaving the material properties unaffected.
    Chemical etching can also produce very accurate engraved features at the same time the material is being profiled, such as fluidic channels, logos or part numbers. These features come at no additional cost.
    Q7: What level of detail can chemical etching achieve?
    The minimum standard etched opening achievable is 0.1 mm, but with development, etching can achieve even finer features.
    Q8. How much does chemical etching cost?
    Chemical etching uses digital tooling which is inexpensive, very easy to adapt and does not wear out, unlike presswork tooling.
    Material thickness and component size are key cost drivers as you pay by the sheet, not by the part – the more parts per sheet, the lower the unit price. Thicker sheets take longer to etch and this is reflected in the cost of the component.
    Q9. What are the maximum quantities chemical etching can produce?
    There is no maximum quantity that chemical etching can produce.  Low-cost digital tooling ensures prototype quantities can be supplied quickly and economically.
    As one of the largest sheet metal etching companies in the world, TONGJIN Etching supplies its customers with component quantities measured in the millions.
    Q10. How long does chemical etching take?     
    Chemical etching lead times are measured in days, not weeks or months, unlike traditional metal machining technologies.
    Subject to quantities required and capacity, standard components which require no additional post-processing can be supplied in less than two working weeks. Urgent demands can be supplied even quicker.

    Customer Reviews

    I am extremely impressed with the precision...
    Swapnil from United StatesWednesday, Jan 26, 2019
    "I am extremely impressed with the precision and quality of the chemical etching performed by your team. The intricate designs on our metal components were etched flawlessly, exceeding our expectations. Thank you for delivering such a high-quality product."
    Your chemical etching service has significantly improved the durability...
    Sarah from United KingdomWednesday, Jan 20, 2020
    "Your chemical etching service has significantly improved the durability and functionality of our products. The etched patterns not only enhance the aesthetics but also provide excellent grip and tactile feel. Our customers are thrilled with the results, and we couldn't be happier with your exceptional craftsmanship."
    We have been relying on your chemical etching expertise for several projects...
    Eduardo from ItalyWednesday, Mar 16, 2022
    "We have been relying on your chemical etching expertise for several projects, and each time, you have consistently delivered outstanding results. Your attention to detail, quick turnaround time, and excellent customer service make you our preferred choice. Your commitment to excellence is commendable."
    has given our brand a unique edge in the market...
    Taner from TurkeyFriday, April 26, 2023
    "The chemical etching performed by your team has given our brand a unique edge in the market. The intricate logos and designs etched onto our products have attracted significant attention and set us apart from our competitors. We appreciate your professionalism and skill."

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