The etching process is used for precision designing and manufacture of detailed products for various purposes. The designs and intricate complexities of the parts need to be created through the process of etching because using any other method the properties and strength of the material itself might be lost due to the intensive detailing required for the parts. Here, we are going to discuss the process of nickel etching using various chemicals and also the preparation time required for the etching process. We are also going to discuss the chemical relation of the material and the etchant which allows the process to be so successful and popular across the manufacturing belt.
Etchant used for the process: For the process of nickel etching, always acidic etchants are used. Some professionals companies also offer premade etching solutions for nickel while other companies manufacture the entire parts or components needed through the process of nickel etching. A ferric chloride solution is often preferred over any other etchant due to its high etching efficiency. Some nitrate based etchants are also preferred for thin film nickel etching and etchants should generally be compatible to both positive and negative photo-resist materials. Whenever photo resistance is spotted, the process must be halted and the quality of the products must be tested by experts.
Time taken: The time taken for this process depends on a number of factors. Some of them are:
Film thicknessEtching rateOther environmental factors.
Since the process is a chemical process each of the factors mentioned above has the capacity to accelerate or reduce the rate of the etching and thus, the finishing time of the process. Generally, this process is not a time taking one and the end point of the process can be observed by observing the nickel disappear and instead the designs that are desired take its place. Depending on the thickness of the film the etchant needs to be selected as the strength differs according to the thickness of the material that is going to be etched.
Advantages of the process:
There are a number of advantages of the nickel etching process which is why it has been in use more and more through the years. In industries like the electronic component production, the process is widely used as nickel is a cost effective metal used in a number of components like circuit boards. Some of the advantages of this process in the manufacturing industries are:
Cost effective designing. Complex machiningDesign etching at lower risks to the material qualities.Low set up costs.
Because of these reasons nickel etching is preferred over other methods of designing the nickel components.
Nickel etching is an extremely delicate process and it needs to be conducted carefully. This is why a number of manufacturing companies prefer to hire experts to produce their etched products in bulk by people who have expertise on the project. It is a cost effective process and its benefits are especially needed by organizations which produce anything which needs precisely etched or designed nickel components. The electric component manufacturing industries mainly utilize this process to create items like resistor boards where precise nickel components are required.Edit”A Guide to the Nickel Etching Process”