Curated with aloha by
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
The authoritative public forum
for Metal Finishing 1989-2025
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How to ETCH STAINLESS STEEL
Q. I have been looking and asking about what chemical(s) are used to deep etch stainless steel. It seems that the sign industry uses something but I have been unable to get anyone to either provide a supplier of the chemicals or what the chemicals are. I would greatly appreciate any information on chemical etching of stainless steel.I am trying to make a small 1/8"t x 12" x 8" sign using a precut vinyl or sandblast resist. The lettering is weeded (removed) and the vinyl is used as a resist. It seems that something like Hydrochloric acid would work, but am not sure.Thank you in advance
Enrique VegaArtMetal
1996
Q. Dear sir,
We are sign makers and engravers, we use plotters and engraving machines with Autocad in engraving and etching of brass and stainless steel (mirror finish and hair line) and aluminum.
Presently, the acid we use for such materials is called "iron acid" or FeCl3 (ferric chloride ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] ), which goes deep enough only on brass and aluminum but very shallow for stainless and does not allow the paint to catch well when we apply it (the resist is vinyl).
In this regard, I shall highly appreciate if you can please help us solve this problem by suggesting the best grade of stainless steel (we are using grade 304C and 316C). Do you think the problem is in the acid or in the steel which we are using?
Thank you very much and I look forward to hearing from you very soon.
My best regards
Loai AllanAbu Dhabi, UAE
1998
A. The stainless Etching system solution.
(1)
HF : 30 cc/l
NH2HF : 50 g/l
HNO3 : 100 cc/l 50 °C temp
(2)
HCl (35%) : 300 cc/l
H2SO4 (98%) : 200 cc/l room temp
South Korea
Q. I am interested in utilizing FeCl to remove (dissolve) SS 304. Can you recommend process parameters for performing this operation (temperatures, etc.) and/or any textbooks or relevant technical articles for this operation?
Thanks.
Ron RothTrenton, Georgia
1998
A. Ron,
Unless you have a special formulation with proprietary additives, FeCl3 will cause serious pitting on SS surface.
Ling
Ling Hao- Grand Rapids, Michigan
Q. I am currently a student who does artwork to finance my studies. I would be most grateful if there is anyone who could supply me with any information on "stainless steel etching techniques".
Neill van HeerdenJohannesburg, Gauteng
1999
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Q. WE RECENTLY DISCOVERED A PICK, TWO SIDED. WE NOTICED A EMBLEM ON THE TOP TOWARDS THE TOP OF THE HANDLE WHERE IT GOES THRU THE TOP OF THE PICK. WE CAN'T SEEM TO AGREE ON WHAT IT IS. ONE SAYS U.S. STEEL BECAUSE OF THE BADGE LOOKING EMBLEM, BUT IT HAS AN H STAMPED RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BADGE. CAN YOU HELP US FIND OUT THE MAKER OF THIS PICK? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
A. Yes, this pick was forged by U.S. Steel. The superimposed 'H' is the personal mark of the pick's owner. There is a matching sledge hammer 🙂  Ted Mooney, P.E. Striving to live Aloha finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey |
Q. Hello: This is a question, not a response! Perhaps someone has a fairly non/least toxic method to etch photographic type art work onto most types of standard stainless steel sheet? If you have some feasible method(s) I could try, it would be much appreciated! Sincerely,
Richard W. Bates, PhDClovis, California
1999
Q. We would like to build up a solder paste printing stencil by ourself via photochemical etching method. We intend to use stainless steel sheet (300 series) and/or copper alloy sheet (Copper Beryllium /Phosphor Bronze) as the base material of thickness 6-8 mils. We would like to know the process (basic steps) and also the required chemicals (acids, photosensitive ink, solvents, cleaners, etc.)with the brand name and the suppliers.
Thank you much
Ali YetimAnkara, Turkey
2001
Q. Dear Sirs:
I would like to get information how to etch 18/10 Stainless Steel surfaces to print our brand, and also how we could erase to repair existing brand and reprint again.
I look forward to hear from you soon. Thanks in advance,
LEVENT KOSOGLUECZACIBASI YAPI GERECLERI - ISTANBUL, TURKEY
2001
A. Hi,
You can use Hydrogen Peroxide H2O2(30gm/lit) with NH4F2 ammonium Bi fluoride(10gm/lit).
- Singapore
2006
Q. Sir, I would like to know the chemical composition and method for deep etching of stainless steel plates too. Thanks you very much for your answer
krishna kumar- Dubai, UAE
2004
Q. Hi,
My name is Al, and doing some sign work for my own.
My question is how to acid etch through 0.9 mm stainless steel, what is the chemical to use?
Alternatively laser would do the job, but I would like to know if anyone has experience with my request.
Thanks for your comments.
Regards
AL.
Signmaker - UK
January 3, 2008
Q. Dear Sir,
I am signage maker,
I request you for the process of acid etching on ss & brass. Please give advice step by step how to make?
- Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
January 14, 2009
A. I am scale model vehicle collector and builder (1/32, 1/24 & 1/25 scale), I have used Photo etched Stainless Steel detail parts for years that were commercially produced...
Recently, I have started to create my own Brass Photo etched Parts using ferric chloride
⇦ this on
eBay or
Amazon [affil links] for the etch, and from previous uses on making my own electronic circuit boards a product called "Press-n-Peel Blue (PnPB)" as the resist (PnPB is a Mylar sheet with a "Flat Blue" substance on one side, Fed into a Laser Printer, the "Negative" resist image is printed on to the PnPB, then transferred to the material via heat from a Cloths Iron or a Heat Laminator.)
I have a 5 Gallon fish tank, with approx. 2.5 gallons of FeCl3, A 20 watt heater that brings the FeCl3 up to 115 degrees and I am using a acrylic block as a bubbler manifold (standard fish tank airstones all seem to fall apart when introduced to the FeCl3), Air is pumped from a standard fish tank air pump to create agitation in the tank. I have used this tank and method for years to make circuit boards. I typically use .003 or .005 Brass shim stock as the material... It takes me approx. 4-8 mins to etch a 1 inch x 1 inch pattern depending on the percentage of open exposed Brass.
So far, it has worked well on the Brass and have been happy with the etching results...
Q. I have found a need to have Stainless Steel detail parts now, But so far, the results have been pretty much junk...
As with the Brass, When I Prep the Stainless, I use a 3M greeny and dish soap to remove any oils, I have also tried to use 90% Isopropyl Alcohol just before I place the PnPB on the Stainless and then run it thru the Heat Laminator. Here's the bulk of my problem. I can't get the PnPB to adhere to the Stainless completely, some adheres, some doesn't...
Does anyone have any suggestions what I can use or what I need to do to get PnPB to adhere to the Stainless, or do I need to go to a more traditional means of using Photoresist?...
Thank you in Advance...
hobbyist - St Paul Minnesota
Q. Dear Sir,
I am signage maker,
I request you for the process of acid etching on ss & brass. Please give advice step by step how to make?
product designer - Gandhidham (Kutch), Gujarat
February 9, 2011
Q. Hello,
I am a manufacturer of stainless steel sheets (202 & 304 grade).
I am interested in knowing economical process for etching of sheets (s.s. 202 & 304 grade ).
Kindly help.
MANUFACTURER - Ahendabad,Gujarat, India.
February 20, 2011
Ed. note: Folks, please try your best to frame your questions in terms of the answers already provided, so the thread can move forward. Please talk about the comment on ferric chloride etching of stainless stainless by Ling, or the formulations offered by Kyuong min Kim, or the step by step detail offered by Robert. Thanks!
A. The process of stainless steel is quite simple. All one has to do is figure-out how to remove the surface coat of the stainless steel, be it with concentrated acid, or sand it off. Once this is done, ferric chloride ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] can do the rest of the etching job.
Peter CYO- Malaysia
[editor appended this entry to this thread which already addresses it in lieu of spawning a duplicative thread]
Q. Sir, I want to create a etching chemical for stainless steel. Sir please reply to me how to create a etching chemical.
Thanks your best regards.
- Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan
May 7, 2011
A. Hi, Dilip.
We've added your inquiry to a thread that may partially answer it for you. But "etch" can mean different things. Are you trying to bring out the crystal structure of a specimen for metallography, or photo engrave a logo or label, or give the object a matte texture, or fabricate components by etching away the balance of the metal? Thanks!
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. Hello sir.
What are the things that will be used in marker system chemical? I made this chemical stamp for surgical instruments, for example scissors, nail cutters, etc. Thanks.
- Sialkot, Pakistan
June 1, 2011
A. I have been etching stainless steel for over 30 years. The etchant is ferric chloride ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , temp 130 °F. around 37 baumé works best. Etch rate is about 1.25 mil per minute in an oscillating spray etch. Stainless does not pit in ferric chloride unless you rinse with water and then etch more. If it is rinsed it must be thoroughly dried before etching more. Best to use dry film photoresist and heat the metal to 150 degrees before laminating. Thickest material we etch thru is about .080" thick. Etched photos usually run .003 to .010 depending in the detail. Hope this is helpful.
Paul Winn- Glendale, Arizona, U.S.A.
May 27, 2011
Great answer, Paul. Thanks!
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. sir,
I will be very thankful if you help me by telling me method for SS etching.
- Antarjal, Gujarat, India
January 6, 2013
A. Hi Chintan.
That general question has been answered. Please try to phrase your question in terms of what has already been said so we can understand what is missing. Thanks!
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. I have gone through all above, Still need help -
1) Which company's Dry Film Photo Resist to be used?
2) How to transfer dry film photo resist at 150 degree temp. of plate?
3) If Transfers can we use normal tube light for exposing?
Or can we use heat transfer sheet with inkjet printing/laser?
- Maharashtra, India
June 5, 2013
A. Hi cousin Nilesh. Regarding question 1, we don't print recommendations of specific brands, for several reasons ( huh? why?) including the fact that it induces salespeople to pose as satisfied customers, killing off the camaraderie :-)
But hopefully a reader can recommend a type of dry film resist and help with your other questions. Good luck.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
Q. We need etching formula for making scale from stainless steel of grade 200. Etching deepness of 0.2 mm required in production line. Please mention the chemical names with quantity and other requirements.
SANDIP Gajjar- rajkot, Gujarat, India.
March 5, 2014
A. Hi folks. threads 15151,
12455,
10882 may help.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
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