VT machining provides Chemical Etching Tungsten for customers who need accurate, repeatable Tungsten components. Because Tungsten is dense and hard; etched for precision grids and shields, we adapt the process to suit — controlling the variables that matter for this alloy.
Chemical Etching Capability for Tungsten
- Foil thickness 0.02–1.0 mm
- Minimum feature ≈ 0.8 × metal thickness
- Burr-free, stress-free edges
- Tooling-free: revise artwork digitally
Tungsten Material Data
| Density | 19.25 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 750–1500 MPa |
| Yield strength (0.2%) | 550 MPa |
| Hardness | 350–500 HV |
| Melting point | 3422 °C |
| Thermal conductivity | 173 W/m·K |
| Thermal expansion | 4.5 ×10⁻⁶/K |
| Electrical conductivity | 31% |
| Machinability (C36000 = 100%) | grind / EDM only |
| Grades we run | Pure W (99.95%), W-Ni-Fe heavy alloy (17.0–18.5 g/cm³), WC-Co |
Published typical values for Pure W / W-Ni-Fe. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.
Conventional cutting is not on the table for pure tungsten. Features are wire-EDM cut and ground; expect longer lead time than any other metal on the list.
How Chemical Etching Tungsten Works
A photo-resist patterned from your artwork masks the Tungsten, and an etchant dissolves the exposed metal evenly from both sides. Because there is no mechanical force, the part stays flat and stress-free.
Every job begins from your CAD model or 2D drawing. Fixturing and tool paths are planned so the most critical dimensions are produced in the most rigid, repeatable setup. Critical dimensions are checked on the first part and monitored through the run.
Achievable Tolerances for Chemical Etching Tungsten
| 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.
Chemical Etching Tolerances & Surface Finish
Etched Tungsten holds tight, repeatable feature tolerances on thin gauge, with a minimum feature size around 0.8× the metal thickness and completely burr-free edges.
Final tolerances are governed by the material's behaviour, wall thickness and overall stiffness. We give honest DFM feedback if a callout would be costly or better achieved another way.
Working with Tungsten
Tungsten offers a useful combination of properties: it is dense and hard; etched for precision grids and shields. Those characteristics shape how we approach chemical etching — from tool and parameter selection to work-holding and coolant.
If your application is sensitive to alloy condition, we agree the specification in writing and document it. Stock is sourced from reputable suppliers so what you order is what you receive.
Design Tips for Chemical Etching Tungsten
A few design choices make a real difference to cost and quality. Designing features no finer than ~0.8× foil thickness and allowing tab placement gives the best yield on etched Tungsten. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.
Secondary Operations & Finishing
We complete Tungsten components with the secondary steps your drawing calls for. We arrange heat treatment, surface treatment, marking and assembly as needed. Tell us the final spec and we will plan the full route so parts arrive ready to use.
Chemical Etching Quality & Inspection
Consistent quality comes from disciplined process control. Critical dimensions on Tungsten parts are checked in-process and verified at final inspection using calibrated instruments and, where required, CMM measurement. Full documentation — dimensional reports, mill certs, FAIR — is available when your programme needs it.
Applications of Chemical Etching Tungsten
Chemical Etching of Tungsten supports parts across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor, energy and general industrial sectors. We scale from one-off prototypes to ongoing production while holding the same quality.
How to Order Chemical Etching Tungsten
Ordering Tungsten parts is straightforward. Provide the drawing, material, quantity and any certification needs. Our engineers reply — in English — with feasibility, pricing and a realistic lead time, usually within one business day.
Parts We Have Run in Tungsten
Three representative Chemical Etching Tungsten 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.
Encoder disc
- Material
- Tungsten
- 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.
Half-etched flex shim
- Material
- Tungsten
- 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.
Lead frame
- Material
- Tungsten
- 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.
Finishing Options for Tungsten
| Finish | Thickness / effect | Why it gets specified |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Tungsten
- 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 Tungsten 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 Tungsten grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.
Request a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Does Chemical Etching Tungsten require dedicated tooling?
No. Tungsten 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.
Which industries use Chemical Etching Tungsten parts?
Chemical Etching Tungsten parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise Tungsten components are required.
What is Chemical Etching Tungsten and how is it done?
Chemical Etching Tungsten refers to photochemical etching uses a patterned resist and etchant to dissolve metal precisely, with no mechanical force, burrs or induced stress. Applied to Tungsten — dense and hard; etched for precision grids and shields — VT machining produces each part to your CAD drawing, selecting parameters from your tolerance, finish and quantity requirements.
What tolerances can you hold for Chemical Etching Tungsten?
Achievable tolerances for Tungsten 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 Tungsten?
Chemical etching removes Tungsten without mechanical force, so edges are completely burr-free and stress-free — no secondary deburring needed.
Why is Tungsten a good choice for Chemical Etching?
Tungsten is dense and hard; etched for precision grids and shields, which makes it well suited to Chemical Etching. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Tungsten etching part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.