Steel chemical etching is ideal for components in environments where fracturing resistance is important.
It is a ferrous alloy metal, composed primarily of Iron, Carbon and other elements added depending on the characteristics desired. Steel is highly durable with a hardness that resists external strain over time.
Alone it is not rust-resistant. Adding other elements such as Molybdenum or Nickel will improve the material’s resistance to rust, otherwise, a finish such as plating is recommended. Fotofab offers a wide range of secondaries to choose from.
The machinability of the metal will vary depending on the makeup of the base material. Fotofab offers etching of Steel (1010, 1008), Electrical/Silicon Steel (M19, M36), and Spring Steel (1050, 1074, 1095).
Fotofab's chemical etching process produces designs that can withstand harsh indoor and outdoor environments. The process uses a strong chemical (Ferric Chloride) to cut into unprotected parts of a metal surface to create a design or image formed to your project's specifications.
Fotofab products are made in the USA and distributed worldwide.
Characteristics of Steel
- Rather inexpensive
- High tensile strength
- Malleable and ductile
- Conductive of heat and electricity
Steel Chemical Etching Applications
Due to its high tensile strength, Steel is ideal for parts used in applications where resistance to fracturing is important. In instances where a part will have heavy wear from external environments, it may be a material to consider to maintain durability. Acid etched Steel products fabricated by Fotofab include:
- Electrical components
- Magnetic cores of transformers
- Shields
- Brackets and braces
- Faceplates and nameplates
Other Factors:
- Electrical or Silicon Steel is a low-Carbon Steel alloy with small quantities of Silicon to produce a specific magnetic property
- The carbon in steel alloys may contribute up to 2.14% of its weight
- Steel is one of the most common man-made materials in the word, with more than 1.6 billion tons produced annually