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Precision Etching For Copper – Copper Etching

Copper is one of the very few elements that is found in a ready to use metallic form. It is a soft, lightweight metal with high electrical and thermal conductivity properties that is easy to etching into complex shapes and intricate designs.

Chemical etching of copper is a process that uses chemicals to selectively remove material from a copper surface in a controlled manner.

It’s often used in various applications, including printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturing, decorative art, and microfabrication. You start with a clean and smooth copper substrate. This can be in the form of a copper sheet, a copper-clad PCB, or a copper plate.

BE-CU ETCH offers precision etching with multiple copper alloys.

Our Copper Etching Service

If you need copper parts etched we are one of the most capable and affordable sources specializing in manufacturing custom etched parts on advanced photo etching machines with cnc precision. Through our Photo Chemical Etching process, the smallest and most complex designs are made possible such as electrical spring contacts, contact membranes, busbars, antennae and micro antennae, spring fingered contacts, heating elements and battery terminal as well as many other bespoke components to your own designs.

We can machine to print and accept the most common file formats including: .dwg .dxf .iges .step .sat as well as .pdf files. If you don’t see your file format here let us know. Please send us files to: [email protected] We can accept both small and large run jobs of custom copper etching parts.

Our Etching Capabilities

Etching of many grades of Copper, including 110,Beryllium copper and more
Combining Stamping, Laser Cutting,CNC machining and photochemical etching on sheets up to 2mm thick
Etching of up to 0.025″ thick sheets as large as 22×12 inches
Tolerances of ±.0005″ in many applications

How To Etch Copper

Metal Grades For Copper Etching

Copper etching is a process in which designs or patterns are chemically etched onto a copper surface. The choice of metal grade for copper etching depends on various factors, including the desired results, the specific etching technique, and the type of copper being used. Here are some common metal grades used for copper etching:

Pure Copper (C11000 or C10100)

Pure copper, such as C11000 (also known as electrolytic tough pitch or ETP copper) or C10100 (also known as oxygen-free high-conductivity copper), is often used for etching. It is a highly conductive and malleable metal, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. The choice between ETP and oxygen-free copper depends on your specific needs.

Copper Alloys (e.g., C26000, C28000)

Copper alloys can be used for etching as well. For example, C26000 (Cartridge Brass) and C28000 (Muntz Metal) are commonly used alloys. These alloys offer different properties compared to pure copper, including increased strength and corrosion resistance.

Phosphor Bronze

Phosphor bronze is an alloy of copper with a small percentage of tin and phosphorous. It is known for its excellent corrosion resistance and mechanical properties. It is often used in applications where etching requires good durability and resistance to wear.

Copper-Nickel Alloys

Alloys like CuNi 90/10 (90% copper and 10% nickel) and CuNi 70/30 (70% copper and 30% nickel) are known for their resistance to corrosion and biofouling. They can be used in marine applications and situations where copper etching needs to resist corrosion.

Copper Clad Laminates

In PCB (Printed Circuit Board) manufacturing, copper-clad laminates are used. These laminates consist of a layer of copper bonded to a substrate, often made of a different material like FR-4. The copper layer can be etched to create circuit traces.

More Copper

The choice of the metal grade and alloy depends on the specific requirements of your etching project. Factors to consider include the desired etching depth, conductivity, mechanical properties, and resistance to corrosion. Be sure to consult with your supplier or manufacturer to select the most suitable metal grade for your specific application.

Components That Are Produced By Etching Copper

The popularity of copper makes it a desirable metal for use in fabrication because it is easy to manufacture and has favorable properties for many industrial products.With the photo etching process, the metal is etched evenly without any structural deformations from the hard tooling used in stamping and punching.Since there isn’t a heat point of contact like laser cutting, the parts’ metal properties remain unchanged and free from thermal deformations.Get inspired by our custom etching part projects and contact us to Get Instant Quote for rapid prototype or copper etching parts start from 1pcs.