Stainless steel has become so commonplace as an industrial metal that many consumers think of it as merely another color choice for appliances. But the truth is that the name stainless steel represents a spectrum of materials that customize the properties of this metal depending on its applications. In industrial manufacturing, etching stainless steel makes this alloy even more useful.
Essentially, stainless steel is a group of iron-based alloys that contains chromium to assist with preventing rust that would normally happen when iron is exposed to other elements. Other alloys can be added at different concentrations to achieve different properties, like additional corrosion resistance, increased strength, and protection against pitting. The different types of stainless steel are designated by a three-digit number to indicate its composition.
As a manufacturing material, corrosion resistance is just one of stainless steel’s benefits. As part of the manufacturing process, consulting with experts in the field of metal fabrication can help you choose exactly the right form of stainless steel depending on the project. It can be milled to a variety of thicknesses while still retaining strength. It can be shaped into many designs and patterns, and is recyclable.
Because it offers so many options for manufacturers, working with a company that provides photo etching for stainless steel parts is one way to maximize its usefulness. Etching stainless steel can be done in fine lines for parts’ identification or logo impressions. Etching can also precisely fabricate stainless steel parts, particularly when dealing with those that require tight tolerances.
There are other methods for metal fabrication, but chemical etching provides a level of refinement and precision that places it above many of these methods. Metal stamping requires additional production time and costs that may not work for many projects that are time-sensitive. It can be especially costly for producing prototypes. Even acid etching can have drawbacks for many projects. Using only acid for the etching process can cause pitting in the metal – even metal as strong as stainless steel.
If a project requires the strength, versatility, and adaptability of stainless steel, choosing the right fabrication process is equally important. Chemical etching of stainless steel is a cost-effective, time-sensitive, and precise way to ensure that your metal fabrication produces high quality, exact results that are easily duplicated.