What Is Chemical Etching? And How Can It Help My Business?
Just in case you haven't already heard - in which case you've either been living in a cave somewhere, or you don't follow us on social media (either way, you should probably fix that) CHEMICAL ETCHING IS BACK AT EIH!!! You asked, we listened, and Engrave It Houston is proud to now offer Chemical Etch processing as the latest addition to the list of services we offer our Industrial clients. (Are you excited? 'Cause we're excited.)
If, however, you're sitting at your computer, scratching your head, and wondering: "... what even is Chemical Etch processing?" Don't worry. You're not alone, and we've got you covered.
Keep reading to learn more about what Chemical Etching is and how it can help benefit your business, regardless of what your industry may be.
What Is Chemical Etching?
What Is Chemical Etching?
Simple Answer:
Chemical Etching is an industrial marking process that lets you mark virtually any metal with an extremely durable marking that also includes multi-color marking options.
What is Chemical Etching?
Fancy Answer:
The process of Industrial Chemical Etching is an industrial engraving (or marking, depending on what lingo you like to use) process that utilizes a chemical spray to engrave (or mark) an etched image into virtually any type of metal (including metal tags, metal plates, metal panels, etc).
This result is achieved by first creating a Chemical Etch resistant mask. This mask is resistant to the chemicals used in the Chemical Etching process, and does not allow the chemicals to reach the metal piece (metal tag, metal plate, metal panel, etc) which it covers.
The areas of the metal that is still exposed and does not have the mask over it, is what is then etched in the etch machines. The metal will enter the etch machines where a high pressure, high temperature acid will attack the exposed metal and etch depth into these surfaces. This process results in an extremely durable, burr free, engraved or etched product.
The mask can then be removed, leaving you with a crisp, detailed etching. OR! Before the protective masking is removed, a color fill process (which could be single or multi-color) can be utilized to add precise, clean color to your end product.
Sound Like Something Your Business Might Be Interested In?
How Can Chemical Etching Help My Business?
There's a lot to like when it comes to Chemical Etch processing regardless of what industry you may be in. If we were to get into the nitty-gritty of every fine detail we'd be here all day. So, instead, we've put together this quick list to help give you a quick overview at all the ways the Chemical Etching can make your life, and you workflow, easier and more efficient.
1) Chemical Etching Works on Almost any Type of Metal at Almost any Degree of Thickness
The Problem:
You can't seem to find an engraver who will work with the type of metal you need. Or, perhaps instead, your metal tag, metal plate, metal panel, etc, is too thin for more traditional engraving procedures.
The Solution:
Because it involves engraving (or marking) your metal plates (metal tags, metal panels, etc) through a chemical blasting technique that corrodes your desired information or design into the surface of the metal, that means Chemical Etch processing can work on Stainless Steel, Aluminum, or Brass plates, tags, or panels including extremely thin metals that can prove difficult/impossible for other types of engraving and marking procedures.
So, you can get the metal plates, metal panels, metal tags, or whatever other type of engraved metal components your project calls for regardless of the metal type, size, or thickness.
And who doesn't love that?
2) Chemical Etch Processing is Ideal for High Volume Orders, Which Means Lower Costs and Faster Turnarounds
The Problem:
You have a ton of metal tags, metal plates, metal panels, or any other type of metal component that your job calls for, and you need them all engraved (or marked) with the same precision design or information. You want the fastest turnaround possible, as well as the highest detailed replication of the initial design that each piece needs to be engraved with.
The Solution:
Because of the way that Chemical Etch Processing works, it is ideal for high volume production. The special "masks," which cover your metal plates (metal tags, metal panels, etc) allowing only the desired sections to be "engraved" by the high-pressure chemical wash, once created can be utilized again and again - drastically reducing you price per project and allowing for even faster turnarounds than some more traditional engraving methods while leaving you with a superior, high-quality product that is exactly what your project calls for.
3) Chemical Etching Offers Unparalleled Durability, High-Contrast Burr-Free Marking, & Multi-Color Fill Potential
The Problem:
Your project calls for a high number of metal tags (metal plates, metal panels, or anything else your job might need) to be engraved with an extremely durable marking that's going to last and last and last. Depending on the type of metal, or the thickness of the piece, you're using, some more traditional types of engraving can potentially weaken the structural integrity of some of these metal components - especially some of the thinner pieces or those made from the softer metal types.
Additionally, your project may also call for the engraving to be color filled - either with a single color on all or part of the engraving, or even multiple colors on different sections of the design or information. This can be extremely difficult or costly with other types of engraving methods as they require a technician to go in and hand paint each and every letter or design on each and every panel.
The Solution:
Chemical Etch Processing allows you to engrave (mark, etch, or whatever you call it where you work), nearly any type of metal with a process that maintains the structural integrity of the engraved material (regardless of thickness) while leaving you with a high-resolution, burr-free engraving that is practically unmatched in durabilty.
That's not all though! Because of the "masking" method used for the Chemical Etching engraving process, your metal tags (metal plates, metal panels, etc) can then be color filled - either with single or multiple colors - in accordance with your project needs! **This is a feature that other types of engraving simply can not offer without the cost of all that labor needed to hand paint each piece being passed on to you as the client.
Chemical Etch and EIH - Creating Innovative Solutions to Your Business Needs
In short, Chemical Etching Processing is the solution to your high-volume or abnormally shaped industrial metal engraving, marking, or etching needs. It provides an unparalleled level of durability, a high-contrast end result that doesn't damage the structural integrity of the metal involved, and un-matched versatility to be able to offer features such as multi-color fill options and engraving on curved, ultra-thin, or abnormally shaped pieces for whatever your project may need.
If you'd like to learn more about Chemical Etch Processing and how it can help benefit your specific business our team of Industrial Project Specialists are happy to help with any questions you may have. You tell us about your business needs, and we'll tell you all the ways Chemical Etching and Engrave It Houston can help make your life easier and your workflow more efficient.