Though many different types of metals may be etched, copper is one of the most common materials used in both traditional and modern etching contexts. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Great Lakes Engineering, Inc.
Maple Grove, MN | 763-425-4755Great Lakes Engineering is a trend setting manufacturer of surface mount stencils, precision laser cut parts, and photo chemical etched parts. We work with a wide range of materials, including Stainless Steel, Copper, Titanium, Nitinol, Nickel, Kovar and many others.
VACCO Industries, Inc.
El Monte, CA | 626-443-7121VACCO is the industry leader of Photo Chemical Etching of metal & polyimide components and devices. We specialize in Stainless steel, Titanium, and Copper, but work with a variety of different materials. We have over 60 years of experience in Chem Etching, and we offer Micro Laser Cutting & Welding, and Diffusion & Adhesive Bonding services along with an extensive range of value-added services. Whether your application is large or small, VACCO can assist you from prototype to production.
PMA Photometals
Phoenix, AZ | 602-278-7800Quality. Integrity. Made in USA. Precision etched parts, nameplates, asset tags, graphic overlays, signage and more - our team has been producing high quality products for over 35 years. We serve all industries - automotive, aerospace, military, medical, electronics and equipment manufacturers.
Photofabrication Engineering Inc.
Milford, MA | 508-478-2025PEI is a leading producer of photochemical machining and photochemical etching precision and decorative metal parts. We use chemical machining and etching as a process to selectively remove material by chemical action, creating extraordinary cost-effectiveness. In business since 1967.
Italix Company Inc.
Santa Clara, CA | 888-448-2549Founded in 1977, we offer photochemical machining to make products from copper-based alloys plus ferrous and high-nickel alloys. We have used chemical milling to produce items for the architectural, decorative, mechanical and motion picture industries. Secondary operations also available.
Small Etched Copper Forms - United Western Enterprises, Inc.One of the few metals found abundantly in nature, copper is easily mined, refined, and 100% recyclable. This malleable and ductile metal is easily manufactured into strips, smooth rods or tubes, sheets and plates desirable for engraving.
The fine qualities of copper make it the preferred choice for etching as it bites evenly, holds texture well and color is not often distorted. Although green patina may develop over time when copper is exposed to environmental conditions, artistic etchings often utilize this attribute for a more integrated design.
While hobbyists and artists frequently utilize copper etching, industrial and commercial manufacturing also incorporate this medium in a variety of applications. Aerospace, automotive, transportation, electronics, minting and medical industries all utilize copper etching in metal components.
Plated and Etched Parts - United Western Enterprises, Inc.The popularity of copper in many of these settings can be attributed to its being one of the best known and most cost effective conductors of heat and electricity.
For this reason and others etched copper products include microchips, statues, decorative ornaments, printed circuit boards, musical instruments, piping, tubing, cookware, coinage and even ammunition.
Such a wide variety of copper etched products reflects the many different etching techniques available. While hand etching with a needle is popular in artistic and custom applications, chemical etching or machining is the most common industrial etching method, particularly acid etching and photofabrication.
Acid etching is accomplished by covering the copper surface to be etched with an acid resistant waxy ground. The manufacturer scratches off the ground, using a point etching needle creating the design of the finished piece.
The copper sheet is then dipped into acid or has acid washed over the metal. Photofabrication follows a similar procedure but rather than a waxy ground, the copper is covered in a photoresist and exposed to UV light to create the template necessary before the corrosive chemical is applied.
In either instance, the chemical wash bites into the metal where it is unprotected, leaving a depression in the plate. The depth of the groove depends on the length of application.
When the desired depth is achieved, the remaining chemicals are washed off and the rest of the wax or photoresist is removed to reveal the finished product. Cupric chloride is the chemical most often used with copper due to its high etch rate, though iron chloride and nitric acid are also compatible with copper.
