Stainless Steel Etching

 

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Stainless Steel Etching Benefits For Manufacturers

The popularity of stainless steel makes it a desirable metal for use in fabrication because it is easy to manufacture and has favorable properties for many industrial products.

With the photo etching process, the metal is etched evenly without any structural deformations from the hard tooling used in stamping and punching.

Since there isn't a heat point of contact like laser cutting, the parts' metal properties remain unchanged and free from thermal deformations.

Photo etching is the only process that can guarantee the absence of burrs in the finished part.

When it comes to speed, you can't find another process that is quicker for producing a large volume of parts. Parts are etched simultaneously and there is no additional cost for the number of slots, holes, sharp edges, or other apertures.

The metal etching process is a flexible option for precision etched stainless steel components because it can etch different tempers and hardness.

Here are the benefits of metal etching stainless steel compared to other types of metal fabrication processes:

• Low setup costs - The inexpensive flexible tooling can be produced in a matter of hours compared to the expensive hard tooling with longer lead times.
• Burr and Stress-Free - Parts are free from burrs or structural deformations. The chemical etching of stainless steel maintains smooth surfaces, precision edges, and low tolerances.
• Unaltered Metal Properties - The stainless steel part will retain its temper, hardness, and functional properties.
• Complex and Intricate Designs - Metal photo etching is the fastest and most reliable method to achieve precision for smaller or numerous part features.
• Quick Prototyping - The low-cost flexible tooling makes it easy to expedite small batches for prototyping. Design changes are uncomplicated and inexpensive as well.

Metallographic Stainless Steel Etchants

Etching stainless steels can be somewhat difficult due to the anti-corrosive nature of stainless steel. Austenitic or 300 series stainless steels typically have higher chrome as well as a significant amount of nickel (e.g. 304 stainless steel - 18% chrome, 8% nickel) which makes them harder to etch. Martensitic or 400 series stainless steels are easier to machine, however, they are not as corrosion resistant so they are easier to etch.

Etching stainless steels can be somewhat difficult due to the anti-corrosive nature of stainless steel. Austenitic or 300 series stainless steels typically have higher chrome as well as a significant amount of nickel (e.g. 304 stainless steel - 18% chrome, 8% nickel) which makes them harder to etch. Martensitic or 400 series stainless steels are easier to machine, however, they are not as corrosion resistant so they are easier to etch.

CAUTION:

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How Does centrifugal pump in drilling rig Work? Safety is very important when etching. Be sure to wear the appropriate protective clothing and observe all WARNINGS on chemical manufacuters SDS (Safety Data Sheets). Also review the COMMENTS and CONDITIONS Section for each etchant.

Safety is very important when etching. Be sure to wear the appropriate protective clothing and observe allon chemical manufacuters SDS (Safety Data Sheets). Also review the COMMENTS and CONDITIONS Section for each etchant.

Sample Preparation:

Stainless steels must be properly prepared to reveal the true metallographic microstructure. A number of recommended procedures can be found at the following links:

Stainless steels must be properly prepared to reveal the true metallographic microstructure. A number of recommended procedures can be found at the following links:

Recommended Etchants

Etchant Conc. Conditions Comments

Adlers Etchant

Ferric chloride
Copper ammonium chloride
Hydrochloric acid
Distilled water

45 gm
9 gm
150 ml
75 ml Immerse for several seconds. A very effective etchant for 300 series, austenitic, duplex stainless steels

Carpenter Etchant

Ferric chloride
Cupric chloride
Alcohol
Hydrochloric acid
Nitric acid

8.5 gm
2.4 gm
122 ml
122 ml
6 ml Immerse for several seconds. A nice etchant for 300 series, austenitic, duplex stainless steels

Kalling' No. 2

Cupric chloride
Hydrochloric acid
Alcohol
12 gm
20 ml
225 ml Immerse or swab - seconds to minutes For 400 series or martensitic stainless steel

Modified Murakami's

K3Fe(CN)6
Potassium hydroxide
Distilled water
30 gm
30 gm
150 ml 1 second to several minutes by immersion or swabbing

Mix potassium hydroxide into water before adding K3Fe(CN)6

Hydrochloric acid
Selenic acid
Ethyl alcohol 20-30 ml
1-3 ml
100 ml Immerse at room temperature for 1-4 minutes Color etching. Colors carbides and gamma prime phase in heat resisting steels Ammonium bifluoride
Potassium metabisulfite
Distilled water 20 gm
0.5 gm
100 ml Immersion at room temperature for 1-2 minutes Color etching. Etching of austenitic stainless steel and welds. Reveals delta ferrite in welds

V2A Etchant

Hycrochloric acid
Nitric acid
Distilled water
119 ml
12 ml
119 ml Immersion or swabbing etch at 20 degrees Celsius

For etching austentic stainless steels

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431 Stainless Steel, etched with Modified Murakami's,
Mag. 400X (DIC)