What is Metal Etching?

Metal etching is a technique that removes a material using a chemical reaction or physical impact. Metal etching technology can be divided into two categories: wet etching and dry etching. Metal etching is composed of a series of complex chemical processes. Different etchant has different corrosion properties and strengths to different metal materials.

Generally referred to as metal chemical etching (photochemical etching), which refers to removing the protective film of the area to be metal etched after exposure to plate and development, and contacting the chemical solution during metal etching to dissolve and corrode, forming bumps or hollows. Effect of molding. The earliest can be used to produce printed embossed plates such as copper and zinc plates, and is also widely used for processing of thin-shaped workpieces such as weight reduction instrument panels, nameplates, and traditional processing methods that are difficult to process; after continuous improvement and process equipment The development can also be used for the processing of precision metal etching products of electronic thin-film parts in the aviation, machinery, and chemical industries. Especially in the semiconductor process, metal etching is an indispensable technology. ^[1]

Different types of metals have different etching processes, but the general process is as follows: metal etching plate degreasing water washing etching water washing drying screen printing thousand dry water immersion 2 ~ 3min etching pattern Text Washing De-inking Washing Pickling Washing Electrolytic Polishing Washing Dyeing or Plating Washing Hot Water Washing Drying Soft Cloth (Polishing) Light Spraying Clear Lacquer Drying Inspection Finished Product Packaging.

Etching is the key in the pattern decoration process of metal plate molds. In order to obtain pattern products with clear stripes and strong decoration, we must pay attention to controlling the conditions of the etching process. Mainly the temperature and etching time of the etching solution. The temperature of the solution is slightly higher, which can increase the speed of metal dissolution, that is, the speed of etching, and shorten the time required for etching. However, the etching solution is generally a strong acid solution. The strong acid solution is corrosive at high temperatures and is easy to protect. The coating or corrosion-resistant ink softens or even dissolves, which reduces the adhesion of the corrosion-resistant layer at the non-etched parts of the metal, causing the corrosion-resistant coating at the interface between the etching and non-etching to fall off or melt, making the etching pattern blurred and distorted, affecting the pattern The appearance is real and decorative, so the temperature should not exceed 45 .

Similarly, if the etching time is too long, especially when the temperature of the etching solution is high, the long-term immersion time of the corrosion-resistant ink or protective coating will also have the above-mentioned side effects and adverse consequences, so the time control must be appropriate. , Can not be soaked for too long, generally should not exceed 20 ~ 25min.