VT machining provides Chemical Etching Steel for customers who need accurate, repeatable Steel components. Because Steel is economical; etched for flat springs and shims, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.
Chemical Etching Capability for Steel
- Foil thickness 0.02–1.0 mm
- Minimum feature ≈ 0.8 × metal thickness
- Burr-free, stress-free edges
- Tooling-free: revise artwork digitally
Steel Material Data
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 585 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 450 MPa |
| Hardness | 170 HB |
| Melting point | 1420–1460 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 51.9 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 11.5 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 9% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | 57% |
| Grades we run | 1018, 1045, 1215, A36, S45C, St37, 4140 (see alloy steel) |
Published typical values for 1045. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Rust. Bare steel flash-rusts within hours in a humid container, so parts are oiled or passivated before packing unless you specify otherwise.
How Chemical Etching Steel Works
A photo-resist patterned from your artwork masks the Steel, and an etchant dissolves the exposed metal evenly from both sides. Because there is no mechanical force, the part stays flat and stress-free.
Programming is driven directly by your 3D model or print. Work-holding, tool selection and the cutting strategy are planned around the critical features and the material before the first chip is cut. First-off inspection confirms the process is centred before production continues.
Achievable Tolerances for Chemical Etching Steel
| 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.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
Finished Steel parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.
Design Tips for Chemical Etching Steel
We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Designing features no finer than ~0.8× foil thickness and allowing tab placement gives the best yield on etched Steel. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Chemical Etching Quality & Inspection
We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every Steel part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.
Working with Steel
As a material, Steel is economical; etched for flat springs and shims. Our setup reflects the alloy's machinability so the finished part is accurate and free of avoidable defects.
We verify the exact grade and condition before machining, and traceable mill certs are available on request. We can work to your nominated material source or specification when required.
Chemical Etching Tolerances & Surface Finish
Etched Steel holds tight, repeatable feature tolerances on thin gauge, with a minimum feature size around 0.8× the metal thickness and completely burr-free edges.
Exact achievable figures depend on the alloy, the feature size and the part geometry. Tell us which dimensions are critical and we will advise feasibility up front.
Applications of Chemical Etching Steel
Customers order Chemical Etching Steel components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.
How to Order Chemical Etching Steel
Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.
Parts We Have Run in Steel
Three representative Chemical Etching Steel 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.
Lead frame
- Material
- Steel
- Size
- 60 × 30 × 0.15 mm
- Key callouts
- Track width 0.15 ±0.02 mm, burr-free
- Batch
- 40,000 pcs
No mechanical force means no distortion — the frame is flat straight out of the etch line.
Filter screen
- Material
- Steel
- Size
- Ø25 × 0.08 mm
- Key callouts
- 0.06 mm holes, 40% open area
- Batch
- 15,000 pcs
Minimum feature is about 0.8 × thickness, which sets the smallest hole worth quoting.
Surgical mesh
- Material
- Steel
- Size
- 50 × 25 × 0.2 mm
- Key callouts
- Feature 0.16 mm, edges burr- and stress-free
- Batch
- 2,000 pcs
Passivated after etching; a burr here is a patient-safety issue, not a cosmetic one.
Finishing Options for Steel
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| Black oxide | 1–2 µm | Mild corrosion resistance, no dimensional change |
| Zinc plate + clear/yellow | 5–12 µm | ASTM B633, general corrosion protection |
| Nickel plate (electroless) | 10–25 µm | Uniform in bores, 500 HV after bake |
| Phosphate | 5–10 µm | Paint key, mild lubricity |
| Powder coat | 60–120 µm | RAL colours |
| 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 Steel
- 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 Steel 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 Steel 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 tolerances can you hold for Chemical Etching Steel?
Achievable tolerances for Steel 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.
How clean are the edges produced by Chemical Etching on Steel?
Chemical etching removes Steel without mechanical force, so edges are completely burr-free and stress-free — no secondary deburring needed.
Can VT machining make custom Steel parts to my drawing?
Yes. Steel Steel etching is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.
What is Chemical Etching Steel and how is it done?
Chemical Etching Steel refers to photochemical etching uses a patterned resist and etchant to dissolve metal precisely, with no mechanical force, burrs or induced stress. Applied to Steel — economical; etched for flat springs and shims — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
Does Chemical Etching Steel require dedicated tooling?
No. Steel etching is tooling-free — the pattern is a photo-resist made from your artwork, so design changes cost nothing in tooling and prototypes are fast.