VT machining provides Chemical Etching Brass for customers who need accurate, repeatable Brass components. Because Brass is free-etching with an attractive finish, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.
Chemical Etching Capability for Brass
- Foil thickness 0.02–1.0 mm
- Minimum feature ≈ 0.8 × metal thickness
- Burr-free, stress-free edges
- Tooling-free: revise artwork digitally
Brass Material Data
| Density | 8.50 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 340–470 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 125–310 MPa |
| Hardness | 78–130 HB |
| Melting point | 885–900 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 115 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 20.5 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 26% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 100% (the benchmark) |
| Grades we run | C36000 free-cutting, C37700 forging, C26000 cartridge, C46400 naval |
Published typical values for C36000. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Nothing much — this is the easiest metal in the shop. Worth asking about if a copper or bronze part is cost-driven rather than conductivity-driven.
How Chemical Etching Brass Works
A photo-resist patterned from your artwork masks the Brass, and an etchant dissolves the exposed metal evenly from both sides. Because there is no mechanical force, the part stays flat and stress-free.
We start from your supplied geometry and tolerance scheme. The setup is designed to minimise re-clamping, which protects positional accuracy across features. A first article is verified against the drawing before the balance of the batch is released.
Achievable Tolerances for Chemical Etching Brass
| Feature | Standard | Precision |
|---|---|---|
| Feature dimension | ±0.05 mm | ±0.02 mm |
| Minimum feature width | 1.0 × thickness | 0.8 × thickness |
| Foil thickness range | 0.02–1.0 mm | 0.05–0.5 mm |
| Edge condition | burr-free | burr-free, no HAZ |
| Flatness of etched part | 0.1 mm over 100 mm | 0.05 mm over 100 mm |
| Half-etch depth control | ±20% of depth | ±10% of depth |
| Tab / breakout size | 0.5 mm | 0.3 mm |
Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.
Working with Brass
Brass is free-etching with an attractive finish. We translate those properties into a process plan: the right tooling, speeds, feeds and fixturing for the alloy.
Where the grade, temper or heat-treat condition matters to performance, we confirm it with you and can supply material certificates. Material is procured to recognised standards for consistent, repeatable results.
Chemical Etching Tolerances & Surface Finish
Etched Brass holds tight, repeatable feature tolerances on thin gauge, with a minimum feature size around 0.8× the metal thickness and completely burr-free edges.
The tightest tolerances are reserved for the features your drawing flags as critical. Share your tolerance scheme and we will confirm what is realistic before quoting.
Design Tips for Chemical Etching Brass
Small design adjustments often cut cost and lead time. Designing features no finer than ~0.8× foil thickness and allowing tab placement gives the best yield on etched Brass. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Most Brass parts need some finishing, which we manage in-house or through vetted partners. Options include deburring and edge-breaking, heat treatment, surface grinding, polishing, and plating or anodising for corrosion resistance and appearance. Give us the finished-part requirement and we will sequence every operation correctly.
Chemical Etching Quality & Inspection
Quality is built in, not inspected on. We monitor key features during the run and confirm them at final inspection, with CMM verification available for tight tolerances. We provide the inspection and traceability records your quality system requires.
Applications of Chemical Etching Brass
Brass parts made this way are found throughout aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics and industrial equipment. Prototype, bridge and production volumes are all welcome.
How to Order Chemical Etching Brass
Starting your project takes one email. Send your CAD or 2D drawing, the Brass grade and condition, the quantity and any finish or inspection requirements. We respond quickly with price, lead time and any DFM notes, in clear English.
Parts We Have Run in Brass
Three representative Chemical Etching Brass jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.
Half-etched flex shim
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- 90 × 40 × 0.3 mm
- Key callouts
- Half-etch depth 0.15 ±0.015 mm
- Batch
- 6,000 pcs
Depth held by timed etch with in-line thickness checks every rack.
Encoder disc
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- Ø40 × 0.05 mm
- Key callouts
- Slot width 0.08 ±0.01 mm, concentricity 0.02 mm
- Batch
- 3,000 pcs
Foil this thin cannot be punched; etching is the only route that leaves it flat.
EMI shielding mesh
- Material
- Brass
- Size
- 120 × 80 × 0.1 mm
- Key callouts
- Aperture 0.20 ±0.02 mm, 55% open area
- Batch
- 8,000 pcs
Etched from both sides at once so the aperture wall stays symmetrical.
Finishing Options for Brass
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Nickel plate | 5–15 µm | Hard, bright, corrosion resistant |
| Chrome plate | 0.3–1 µm | Decorative, over nickel |
| Clear lacquer | 10–20 µm | Stops the natural tarnish |
| Tin plate | 3–15 µm | Solderable contacts |
| Deburr / edge break | 0.05–0.3 mm | All parts unless the drawing says otherwise |
| Bead blast | Ra 1.6–3.2 µm | Uniform matt finish, hides tool marks |
| Laser marking | — | Part number, lot code, data matrix |
No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.
Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.
What We Need to Quote Chemical Etching Brass
- GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
- MaterialThe exact Brass grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
- QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
- TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
- FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
- DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.
Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.
Other Metals for Chemical Etching
Send the drawing, the Brass grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What is the finest feature you can etch in Brass?
As a guide, the minimum reliable feature size is roughly 0.8 × the metal thickness, so thinner Brass foil yields finer apertures and detail — all produced burr-free and stress-free.
What is the typical lead time and minimum order for Chemical Etching Brass?
Because chemical etching needs no hard tooling, Brass etching prototypes turn around quickly and scale to volume from the same digital artwork. Send your drawing and quantity for an exact lead time and MOQ.
What material thickness or size range suits Chemical Etching Brass?
Etching suits Brass foil roughly 0.02–1.0 mm thick — the thinner the foil, the finer the achievable detail.
What tolerances can you hold for Chemical Etching Brass?
Achievable tolerances for Brass etching depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. Etching holds tight, repeatable tolerances on thin metal without mechanical stress. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.