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Exploring Metal Etching for the First Time?

Start your learning journey with ACE—explained simply, backed by real industry experience.

Whether you're studying engineering, exploring manufacturing processes, or just curious about how precise metal parts are made - this is your guide to understanding chemical etching. We’ve broken down the basics, added examples, and included links to more advanced topics when you're ready to dive deeper.

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Start Your Journey with ACE

Curious about how metal etching works or where it fits in the real world? This page is your entry point. Follow the links below to explore the process, materials, and real-life uses - at your own pace, no experience needed.

What Is Chemical Etching?
Yes, but why not use CNC or laser cutting instead?
What Can It Be Used For?
What Materials Can Be Etched?
How Is a Design Turned Into a Metal Part?
Want to Learn More?
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What Is Chemical Etching?

A precise, clean way to cut metal.
Using chemistry instead of tools.

Chemical etching (sometimes called photo etching) is a way of cutting very fine shapes into metal using a chemical reaction, not drills, blades, or lasers.

Here’s how it works in simple terms:

1

Choose and Clean the metal

The metal sheet is thoroughly cleaned to remove any dirt or oil before etching begins.
2

Apply the Design

A light-sensitive coating is added, then exposed to UV light through a stencil that defines the part’s shape.
3

Etch the Metal

A controlled chemical solution dissolves only the exposed areas, leaving your design behind in metal.
4

Clean & Finish

A visual and critical dimension inspection is undertaken. Bespoke products finished to customer specification.

Yes, but why not use CNC or laser cutting instead?

Good Question!

Unlike CNC or laser cutting, chemical etching doesn’t use force. or heat - so there’s no warping, no burrs, and no need for expensive tooling. It’s cleaner, faster for thin parts, and great for intricate designs that other methods struggle with.

Go Deeper - Compare Metal Etching With Other Methods

Etching vs CNC Machining
Etching vs Laser Cutting
Etching vs Stamping

What Can It Be Used For?

From aircraft to headphones - etched parts are everywhere.

Chemical etching is used to make all kinds of precision metal parts, many of which you’ve probably seen (or used!) without even realising it.

Surprisingly Common, Incredibly Useful

Because the process is so precise, clean, and flexible, it’s ideal for parts that are thin, detailed, or delicate - especially when made in large numbers. It’s widely used in industries like aerospace, electronics, automotive, and healthcare, but also turns up in day-to-day tech, wearables, and even design objects.

Examples of etched components:

Tiny springs, leads, and circuits inside electronics
Filters and screens in fuel systems or medical devices
Decorative metal plates, badges, or stencils
Shielding for electronics in phones, satellites, and cars
Battery connectors and heating elements in electric vehicles and appliances

Etched parts are flat, but that doesn’t mean they’re simple. In fact, many are packed with detail you can only see up close.

What Materials Can Be Etched?

Copper, stainless steel, titanium, and more. 
It’s not just one-size-fits-all.

One of the strengths of chemical etching is that it works with a wide variety of metals, each suited to different jobs. That means engineers and designers can choose the right material based on what the part needs to do - whether that’s conduct electricity, resist heat, or just stay lightweight.

You don’t need to choose alone. The ACE team can recommend the best metal for your idea or application.

Stainless steel
(all major grades)
Strong, corrosion-resistant, and great for general use
Copper & brass
Excellent electrical and thermal conductors
Nickel and
nickel alloys
Durable and resistant to harsh environments
Aluminium
Lightweight and good for large parts or layered designs
Titanium
Strong, lightweight, and biocompatible (used in medical applications)
Nitinol
A shape-memory alloy used in advanced tech and medical devices.
Other metals on request
Like silver or beryllium copper (available on request)

How Is a Design Turned Into a Metal Part?

What it’s like to work with ACE - from first sketch to finished part.

Turning an idea into a finished metal part might sound high-tech, but the basic steps are actually easy to follow - especially with the help of ACE’s engineers.

Here’s a simplified version of the process:

1

You send us your design (or idea)

This could be a CAD file (like DXF or DWG), a PDF drawing, or even a basic sketch. If you're not sure it's ready, that's okay - we'll take a look and guide you.
2

We help you make the right choices

Our team will review your file, suggest improvements if needed, and help choose the best material and process for your part. We’ll make sure it’s suitable for etching, and that it’ll perform as expected.
3

We produce, inspect, and deliver

Once everything is approved, we manufacture your part using our chemical etching process, carry out precision checks, and send it to you—often within days.

Want to Learn More?

From beginner basics to advanced insights - explore at your own pace.

If you’re the kind of person who likes to keep digging, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a student researching manufacturing processes, a hobbyist experimenting with electronics, or just someone who wants to know how things are made - we’ve got deeper content ready for you.

check our knowledge base

Explore technical guides, common questions, sample information, and detailed case studies.

Product Components

See examples of real parts we etch—like shielding, springs, mesh, and more.

Industries We Serve

Learn how ACE supports aerospace, automotive, electronics, medical, and more.


Quality & Accreditations

See how we meet ISO and AS9100 standards, and why it matters.

News and Insights

November 26, 2024

ACE Chemical Etching at Southern Manufacturing & Electronics, 4th to 6th February 2025

August 20, 2024

AS9100 accreditation helps ACE fly high with £1m of new aerospace opportunities

November 24, 2023

Advanced Chemical Etching – Metal Matters October 2023

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