Chemical Etching with Titanium

E-Fab specializes in the photochemical etching of titanium, delivering critical parts for industries such as aerospace, medical, defense, and renewable energy.

Titanium earns its reputation as a substantial metal due to its exceptional blend of properties. It boasts a remarkable strength-to-weight ratio, making it indispensable for aerospace and defense components. Its lightness enhances fuel efficiency and maneuverability, while its strength supports higher payload capacity.

We welcome your questions about how to use Titanium for your parts.

Types of Titanium used at E-Fab

Titanium is known for its impermeable properties, making it one of E-Fab’s most sought-after metals. When exposed to air or oxygen, titanium develops a protective layer of titanium dioxide on its surface, increasing its corrosion resistance. We etch all grades of titanium including CP Grade 1, CP Grade 2, CP Grade 3, CP Grade 4, CP Grade 5 and Grade 6A-3.

Call us to discuss which Titanium is right for your part.

Titanium Etching Capabilities

Panel Size	Min. 4"x6", max. 12"x18"
Panel Thickness	Min. 0.001”, max 0.040”
Hole Size	Min. 0.005” or 1.2x of material thickness
Spacing	Min. same as material thickness
Inside & Outside Radii	Min. same as material thickness
Center-center hole distance	Refer to hole size and minimum spacing requirements
Etch Tolerance	minimum of ± .0005”; increase minimum based on material thickness and feature type

Why Choose
Titanium

Lightweight
Strength-to-weight ratio
Biocompatibility
Resistance to wear and corrosion

Titanium’s non-toxic nature and compatibility with the human body make it an ideal material for medical use. It doesn’t provoke adverse reactions when in contact with bodily fluids, reducing the risk of rejection. This quality is especially valuable for medical implants, facilitating successful integration with surrounding tissues.

E-Fab manufacturers are experts at etching and forming titanium to precise standards and specifications.

Engineers and manufacturers in the medical, renewable energy, aerospace, and defense industries rely on titanium for parts such as medical implants, bipolar plates, meshes, plate heat exchangers, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Titanium Etching?

Titanium etching refers to selectively removing material from a titanium surface using etchants that dissolve the metal to create precise patterns, designs, or features. Our process includes applying a photoresist mask to protect specific areas, then exposing the surface to a chemical reagent or electrochemical etching.

What are common applications of Titanium?

Titanium etching is crucial for manufacturing parts in several industries:

Aerospace: Lightweight, high-strength components
Medical: Implants, meshes, and plates
Defense: Durable and resilient parts
Renewable Energy: Bipolar plates for fuel cells and electrolyzers
Electronics: High-performance components

Why Choose Titanium over other metals?

Titanium earns its reputation as a substantial metal due to its exceptional blend of properties:

Lightweight with High Strength: Titanium’s high strength-to-weight ratio is indispensable for aerospace and defense applications, enhancing fuel efficiency and maneuverability while supporting higher payload capacity.
High Melting Point: Capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, titanium offers excellent fatigue resistance, making it ideal for components subjected to constant stress, vibrations, and load fluctuations.
Corrosion Resistance: When exposed to air or oxygen, titanium forms a protective layer of titanium dioxide, shielding it from harsh environments like seawater, acids, alkalis, and industrial chemicals.
Biocompatibility: Non-toxic and well-tolerated by the human body, titanium reduces the risk of rejection, promoting successful integration with surrounding tissues. It’s the material of choice for medical implants and devices.
Non-Magnetic: Unlike steel, nickel, and their alloys, titanium does not disturb magnetic fields, making it suitable for critical operations sensitive to magnetic interference.

E-Fab is an industry leader in delivering innovative, accurate, and reliable parts thanks to decades of experience and expertise in a suite of processes.

We are known for our experience and expertise in:

R&D

Engineering

Design Support

Photochemical Etching

Forming

Bonding

High-frequency Substrate

CNC Machining

Plating

Deburring

Micromachining

Prototype

Supply Chain Acquisitions

Chemical Etching with Titanium