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  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Etched Surface Roughness

2007

Hi,

I just started up a small work shop to produce etched decoration parts, such as stainless steel etc...and I'm using FeCl3 33% with 34 baumé and temperature 33 degree C to do the etching job

I have a new order from a new customer to produce rough surface on the stainless steel 304 etched surface.

My problems are:

1. The FeCl3 I use for etching can't produce a rough surface that I required. (the FeCl3 formula was wrong?) if not what chemical should I add in to produce a rough surface on the etched area

2. Why the etched surface sometimes look dull and sometimes look bright? what should I do?

Pls help, as I need to reply my new customer if I can mass production.

Thanks in advance

Ken Tse
Etching Workshop - Hong Kong

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Dear Ken,

I did not understand how much roughness you required on the surface. Since the base panel is SS, it is better to increase the temperature by 45 C to 50 C. Try micro etching process after etching to create roughness on the surface.
Regarding your second query, it is normal to get stains or dullness against brightness on the panel, use chromating for brightness on SS or Brass.

Shafiuddin A. Mohammed
metal coating shop - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2007