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Machines & equipment for sale

What is Acid Etching?

Acid Etching

Acid etching is defined as the process of cutting a hard surface, such as a metal, by using a specially formulated acid for etching (etchant) in order to create a design onto the metal. Industrial metal etching is a manufacturing method for metals that uses acid baths to subtract material and create the desired shape. Typically, the industrial metal etching process involves five steps:

  1. Cleaning
  2. Masking
  3. Scribing
  4. Etching
  5. Demasking

Industrial metal etching is used in industries such as aerospace for manufacturing complex components. It is used when mechanical machining is not an option and the metal removal and finish have to be uniform.

There are two processes commonly used:

  1. Aluminium Etch: process by which a layer of the surface is removed, prior to penetrant inspection. Aluminium etching enhances the identification of surface defects before processing the component.
  2. Titanium Etching: This process is widely used in the aerospace industry. Titanium is commonly etched during the manufacturing process or prior to non-destructive testing using a variety of different acids.

The typical chemical process that are applied to etching plants are: alkaline cleaning, acid etching, chemical milling, descaling, and desmutting. The typical chemicals that are applied are: sulphuric acid, nitric, acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid and fluorosilicic acid. The typical components processed in etching plants are nickel-based, steel alloy, and titanium components. Typical parts include blades, fan discs, compressors, turbine discs, and other parts.

Etching provides several different benefits:

  • Removes ground in impurities
  • Smooth out surface imperfections such as extrusion lines and mild scratches
  • Removes ground in oxide and scale
  • Produces a uniform smooth surface
  • Changes the natural brightness to a dull matte finish
  • Low cost tooling
  • Quick turnaround times
  • No “heat affected zone”

For our surface finishing lines we have in stock, check out the available machines below that could be suitable for acid etching.

Direct from Site Clearance
Manual Acid Plating & Anodising Line More Images Available

PMD (UK) Manual Acid Plating & Anodising Line

Designed and built within a specialist R&D facility, this 8 station manual acid plating and anodising line offers a flexible, high quality solution for precision surface treatment applications.

Stock No
EXC500
Category
Electroplating & treatment lines
Model
PMD (UK) REF : PC1092
Year of Manufacture
2001
Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]
600mm x 500mm x 1000mm
Process Stages
8 Tanks
Condition
From a working environment, Excellent Condition
Location
Newry, Northern Ireland, UK
Direct Site Clearance Price [?]
£ Login or Register for price.
Part of a Direct Site Clearance
Modular Plating & Process Lines Clearance
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Auction
Demineralisation Plant More Images Available

Jacquet Weston Engineering Packaged Demineralisation Water Treatment Plant

Manually operated, the de-mineralisation unit produces up to 200 l/h when connected to a 1,000 litre holding tank. At the estimated hourly production of 45 l/h demineralised water the unit will need regenerating every 75-80 hours.

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