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Etching of Hastelloy C

2003

With being able to give exact etching characteristics, my question in general is as follows: Why is it difficult to etch Hastelloy C, using ferric chloride ⇦ this on eBay or Amazon [affil links] , and more or less standard technology?

One industry has the need for thin strip Hastelloy C but cannot find it in thin form (with small enough holes). The etching industry (those with whom I have spoken) says Hastelloy C is difficult stuff to etch, but it can produce small holes in just about anything but Hastelloy C!

I have solved the thin metal problem. I can get Hastelloy C down to 20µ in strip form if required.

What I need now is someone who can etch holes, (scratch, bite or otherwise), into the thin metal stuff (at least down to 13µ with accurate hole definition).

Can somebody help me understand why it is difficult to etch thin Hastelloy C. If somebody can solve this problem (via etching), I may have a new market for a very specialized process application.

Sincerely,

MR. Mark O'Shea
Roland Berger - Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Hi Mark,

I know zilch about computer boards as I am a computer megasaurus or dinosaurus, whichever comes first... and I need a new one now!

ferric chloride should just bounce off Hastelloy C ... so you'll probably have to use aqua regia or HCl + HF if you want to get any sort of chemical 'attack'. Why don't you go to the horse's mouth and get their corrosion charts which will indicate which acids will attack it. OK?

Freeman Newton [dec.]
R.I.P. old friend (It is our sad duty to
advise that Freeman passed away 4/21/12)

Consider farming the holes out to a company that uses computer controlled laser cutting. They have the capability of making extremely precise holes/shapes without distortion of the rest of the metal that you would get from punching. The edge will be a little bit rough (recast layer) but that can be somewhat controlled also.

James Watts
- Navarre, Florida