At Great Lakes Engineering, we specialize in advanced manufacturing processes like photochemical etching and chemical etching, offering precision solutions for industries such as medical, aerospace, and electronics. While these two processes are often confused, they differ significantly in their methods, applications, and benefits. Here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose the right process for your needs, brought to you by the experts at Great Lakes Engineering.
Photochemical etching, also known as photo etching, is a highly precise subtractive manufacturing process that uses a photoresist and UV light to create intricate patterns on metal. At Great Lakes Engineering, we apply a light-sensitive photoresist to a metal sheet, expose it to UV light through a photographic mask (photo-tool), and then develop the pattern. The exposed areas are etched away using a chemical etchant, typically ferric chloride, leaving behind the desired design. This process is ideal for producing complex, high-precision parts like medical blades, RF shields, and electronic components.
Chemical etching, or traditional etching, involves immersing a metal substrate in a chemical solution (etchant) to remove material uniformly across the surface. At Great Lakes Engineering, we use this method when uniform material removal is needed, such as for surface preparation or creating simple features. Unlike photochemical etching, it doesn’t typically involve a photoresist or masking process, relying instead on the etchant’s interaction with the metal. This makes it better suited for less intricate applications, like cleaning or roughening metal surfaces.
With over 70 years of experience, Great Lakes Engineering offers both photochemical etching services and chemical etching solutions, tailored to your project’s needs. Our ISO 9001:2015 certification ensures quality, and our in-house photo-tool production speeds up turnaround times. Whether you need precision-etched components or surface preparation, we deliver reliable results.