Fotofab is capable of etching and fabricating a wide range of metals, including pure metals and alloys that are known to be difficult to machine. Below is a list of standard metals that Fotofab can etch. If you need to etch a metal that is not on the list, please contact us. We will be able to advise whether or not a specific metal is conducive to the etching process or whether another technique is recommended.
Metals we Etch
Alloy 42, 46, and 48
A controlled expansion Nickel-Iron alloy (42, 46, or 48% Nickel) often used in electronics
Alloy Steels
Alloys containing Iron and other metals
Aluminum
An easy-to-form, non-magnetic and has 50-60% of the electrical conductivity of copper. It has characteristics that make it ideal for many applications but is less effective in low-frequency shielding than some other choices
Amzirc
A brand of copper
Beryllium
Strong, lightweight, non-magnetic, with a high melting point
Beryllium Copper
A high-strength alloy used to make contacts and springs
Brass
A metal alloy primarily composed of Copper, with Zinc. May include smaller amounts of other metals
Copper
A soft metal possessing high thermal and electrical conductivity
Copper-Molybdenum
Excellent thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion. Popular for heat sinks and lids
Elgiloy
An alloy of cobalt and five other metals; used to make corrosion-resistant springs and other components
Gold (0.005" x 6" x 6" max)
Generally used as a plating, especially for high-frequency RF applications
Hafnium
A chemical element with excellent mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Uses include filaments and electrodes
Havar
A Cobalt alloy with excellent resistance to corrosion and high fatigue. It is non-magnetic, biocompatible, and maintains high strength in raised temperatures
Hy-mu 80
An unoriented, 80% Nickel-Iron-Molybdenum alloy with high permeability used to shield electronic components from stray magnetic fields
Inconel (600, 718, and 750)
For extreme chemical, temperature and temperature environments. Industries include: aerospace, marine, and chemical, for turbine blades, rocket engines, and critical nuclear industry components
Invar
An Nickel-Iron alloy (36% nickel), which exhibits the lowest thermal expansion of metals. Used in precision devices such as lasers, instrumentation, thermostats, and equipment requiring stability at all temperatures
Iron
A heavy, very common ferrous mineral (metal) that is most often used as the largest component of Iron-based alloys
Kovar
A Nickel/Cobalt ferrous alloy with a similar temperature coefficient to borosilicate glass and is often used in applications requiring a glass-to-metal seal, such as a hermetic seal
Metglas
An amorphous metal with excellent magnetic properties, such as high permeability, low loss, and a high-saturation magnetic flux density[/one-half-first]
Molybdenum
In the form of a metal, low thermal expansion and the sixth-highest melting point of any element. It is a component in many steel alloys, including high-strength and superalloy types
Monel
An alloy composed mostly of Nickel and Copper, with smaller blends of Iron, Manganese, Carbon, and Silicon. It is resistant to the effects sea water and steam at high temperatures
MuMetal
A Nickel-Iron magnetic alloy that has very high permeability, making it well suited for shielding sensitive electronic circuits. Per the manufacturer, it is “used primarily in low-intensity fields where high attenuation is desired.”
Nickel
Nickel is often the element making up the highest percentage of alloys used for shielding (such as MuMetal). It may also be used for plating
Nickel Silver
A non-magnetic alloy that is exceptionally hard and not very malleable. It has much lower electrical conductivity than Copper
Nitinol
Nitinol or Nickel Titanium is an alloy that is roughly equal parts Nickel and Titanium. It has properties of shape memory and superelasticity. Applications take advantage of the retention of its original shape after being compressed
Permalloy 80
An alloy containing 80% Nickel (and about 15% Iron and 5% Molybdenum) that is highly magnetic. Applications include shielding and as a magnetic core material in transformers
Phosphorous Bronze
A Copper alloy typically containing <10% Tin and <0.35% Phosphorus, often used where good electrical conductivity is needed, and components are stressed by repetitive motions (ie., connectors, switches, etc.)
Silicon Steel
A low-carbon Steel alloy, with small quantities of Silicon, to produce specific magnetic properties for application in transformers, motors and other magnetic devices. Also called Electrical Steel
Spring Steel
Carbon Steel ideal for fabricating flat springs and other stampings. Known for high yield strengths and resistance to deformation
Stainless Steel
A very popular, corrosion resistant and strong Steel alloy. Its formulation can vary somewhat, though it is part of a group of Iron-based metal containing at least 10% Chromium
Steel
A ferrous alloy metal, composed primarily of Iron, with Carbon and other elements added depending on the characteristics desired. Its machinability will vary greatly depending on how it was fabricated
Titanium
With strength comparable to Steel, at only 45% of the weight, Titanium is desirable in many applications in aerospace, transportation, medicine, and more. It is corrosion resistant with formability similar to Stainless Steel
Tungsten
A metal best known for its application in light bulb and vacuum tube filaments. Because of its hardness, Tungsten also has applications on penetrating projectiles and other military applications
Tungsten-Copper
An alloy with high density, high thermal conductivity, and low thermal expansion. Uses include fabrication of contacts, electrodes and heat sinks.
Metal Alloy Temper
Most metal alloys that Fotofab can use, with the chemical etching process, are available with different tempers. These tempers determine some physical properties of the metal. The physical requirements of your part will dictate the temper of the metal you decide to use.
Metal Thickness
Fotofab can produce your part from sheets of metal ranging in thickness from 0.0005 inches (0.013 mm) up to .090 inches (2.286 mm). Metal thickness tolerance often varies with the metal thickness; generally, the thicker the metal, the larger the thickness tolerance associated with it.
Fotofab stocks a wide selection of metals with various tempers and thicknesses. It is likely that we can meet your metal requirements from our stock. Our formal Lot Control Program allows us to trace each of your parts back to its certified metal source.
From etching aluminum to zirconium, Fotofab has the tools to get the job done. Contact us today!
