302 Stainless Photo Etching
Photo etching of 302 stainless steel, a common austenitic grade for etched parts. Covers etchability, passivation, distortion control and typical applications.
What this service covers
302 Stainless Photo Etching is carried out by photo etching. A photographic resist is applied to the metal sheet, the pattern is transferred by exposure and development, and the unprotected metal is dissolved by a controlled etchant. The result is burr free detail, repeatable tolerances and no tooling cost for complex shapes, which makes it well suited to prototypes, short runs and intricate geometries that are difficult to machine.
Materials we etch
We etch brass, copper, aluminium, 304, 316 and 302 stainless steel, nickel, titanium and low carbon steel. For every material we select the etchant and process window that avoids distortion, hydrogen embrittlement and excessive undercut, so hole size, wall thickness and flatness stay within specification across the batch.
Industries served
Industrial equipment and instrumentation, automotive and rail, electronics and control panels, oil and gas filtration, architecture and interior decoration, medical and laboratory equipment, and identification and signage. Parts are commonly supplied as nameplates, data plates, screens, meshes, filters, gaskets, stencils, shims, washers and decorative panels.
Key technical parameters
Etched thickness typically ranges from 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm. Minimum feature width and minimum web depend on material and thickness, and we confirm manufacturability against your drawing before tooling. Tolerance on the etched profile is typically plus or minus 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm depending on part size and process. Parts are supplied deburred, cleaned, and passivated where the material and application require it.
How to request a quotation
Send the drawing in DXF, DWG, STEP or PDF format together with the material and grade, the thickness, the quantity and the required delivery date. We will confirm feasibility, propose the process and return a quotation. Sample lead time is typically 3 to 7 working days, and batch production timing depends on volume and current capacity. Drawings are treated as confidential and are not shared with third parties.