Machines & equipment for sale

What is 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:

Cleaning
Masking
Scribing
Etching
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:

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.
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.

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.

Stock No: MA748
Category: Electroplating & treatment lines
Model: Jacquet Weston Engineering Ion Exchange Plant
Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]: Brake / Storage Tank Ø900 x 1500
Process Stages: Single Stage
Other Info: Producing up to 200 litres/hour
Condition: From a working environment, Good Condition
Sold As Seen Price [?]: £ Login or Register for price.

Buy Now & More Info

Eagle Engineering and Pioneer Prototype Unused, 14 Stage, Semi-Auto, Rack & Barrel Plating Plant

An Unused, 14 Stage, Polypropylene Barrel Plating Plant with Transporter. Includes two barrels and can be commissioned and adapted by the OEM.

Stock No: PIO5701
Category: Electroplating & treatment lines
Model: Eagle Engineering and Pioneer Prototype Manual
Year of Manufacture: 2023
Work Envelope (WxDxH mm) [?]: 830 x 580/1235/1480 x 645
Process Stages: 14
Other Info: Barrels 2 off 385mm wide 300mm Ø
Condition: Brand New, Excellent Condition, Unused, Current Model
Location: Hereford, UK
Direct Site Clearance Price [?]: £ Login or Register for price.
Clearance ends: 29 January 2025 16:30 GMT while stocks last
Part of a Direct Site Clearance: Unused Rack & Barrel Semi-Automatic Plating Plant