Chemical etching, also known as photo etching, photochemical machining, or chemical milling, is a highly precise manufacturing process used in various industries¹. It involves using acidic chemicals to remove material and create an etched pattern on a metal surface¹. This technique allows controlled dissolution of the alloy's surface by utilizing photoresist patterns, resulting in finely etched components¹.
The process is known for its accuracy, repeatability, and ability to produce complex, intricate designs that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with other manufacturing methods¹. Chemical etching is used in various industries, including electronics, aerospace, automotive, medical, and more¹. Its applications range from the production of intricate electronic components to the creation of detailed aerospace parts¹.
The chemical etching process involves selective material removal from a substrate using a high-pressure high-temperature chemical spray². A mask or resist is applied to the surface of the material and is selectively removed, exposing the metal, to create the desired image². The chemical spray dissolves the unprotected metal areas to etch the material atom by atom for a smooth burr-free finish².
This process, sometimes referred to as photochemical etching, is the most common method of etching metal². It is capable of reproducing an exceptional level of detail². Other resist methods commonly used in metal etching include: Screen printed resists, Laser engravable resist, Vinyl resist, Laser direct imaging, Direct inkjet printed resists².
Source:
(1) Chemical Etching: A Comprehensive Guide to Processes, Applications, and ....
https://www.wevolver.com/article/chemical-etching-a-comprehensive-guide-to-processes-applications-and-techniques.
(2) Chemical Etching Process | What is Chemical Etching?.
https://www.masteretching.com/chemical-etching-process.
(3) What is Chemical Etching & How Does It Work? Precision Micro.
https://www.precisionmicro.com/chemical-etching/chemical-etching-process/.
