Aluminum Alloys FeCl₃+HCl

Chemical Etching Formula
Al2014 with FeCl₃+HCl

This reference describes how Al2014 responds to the FeCl₃+HCl etching formula. At a bath temperature of 43°C and concentration of 34 °Bé, the recipe holds an etch factor of about 2.48 and a typical production yield of 97.2%. It is intended as engineering reference data for design, sourcing, and process planning.

Formula Summary

The table below summarizes every parameter that defines this etching formula. Values listed as ranges scale with sheet thickness across the supported band.

FeCl₃+HCl Etchant System
34 °Bé Concentration
1.290 Specific Gravity
43 °C Bath Temperature
Through etch (double-sided) Etch Depth Type
0.1-0.5 mm Thickness Range
0.25 mm Typical Thickness
0.12-1.08 m/min Conveyor Speed Range
0.32 m/min Typical Speed
120-600 μm Min Hole Ø Range
100-500 μm Min Line Width Range
20-101 μm Undercut Range
2.48 Etch Factor (EF)
97.2% Typical Yield (96.5-97.5%)

Why FeCl₃+HCl for Al2014?

On Al2014, the ferric chloride system attacks the alloy's oxide layer continuously while ferric ions drive dissolution. It is regenerable, compatible with standard photolithography, and produces clean burr-free edges — which is why nearly every Al2014 etch line runs a variant of this formula.

Process Window & Bath Control

The process window for this FeCl₃+HCl formula centres on 43°C and 34 °Bé. Conveyor speed spans 0.12-1.08 m/min over the 0.1-0.5 mm thickness band; the typical operating point is 0.32 m/min. Every 5°C drop in bath temperature requires roughly a 30% reduction in conveyor speed to hold the same etch depth, so temperature stability is the single biggest lever on consistency.

Design Rules & Tolerances

When laying out artwork for Al2014 at through etch (double-sided), plan for a minimum hole diameter in the 120-600 μm range and a minimum line width in the 100-500 μm range, depending on the chosen sheet thickness within 0.1-0.5 mm. The etch factor of ~2.48 and undercut range of 20-101 μm determine how much the mask must be biased to land the finished dimension on target.

Design Rule Summary
• Minimum hole diameter range: 120-600 μm
• Minimum line width range: 100-500 μm
• Single-side undercut range: 20-101 μm
• Typical etch factor (EF): 2.48

Yield & Production Economics

This formula delivers a typical yield of 97.2% (range 96.5-97.5%). At that rate, per-part economics are driven mostly by fixed photomask and setup cost for small batches and by sheet utilisation for large runs. The chemistry itself does not change with quantity, so the same recipe serves prototype and production volumes.

Typical Applications

Parts produced with the FeCl₃+HCl formula on Al2014 are common in lightweight RF shields, heat-spreader masks, nameplates, decorative trim, and lightweight structural lattices. The burr-free, stress-free nature of chemical etching makes it the preferred process wherever flatness and edge quality matter more than raw throughput.

More Aluminum Alloys Formulas

Other formulas in the same material family.

Al1060 FeCl₃+HCl Through etch (double-sided) Al1060 FeCl₃+HCl Through etch (double-sided) Al1100 FeCl₃+HCl Through etch (double-sided) Al2017 FeCl₃+HCl Through etch (double-sided) Al2024 FeCl₃+HCl Through etch (double-sided) Al3003 FeCl₃+HCl Through etch (double-sided)

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The FeCl₃+HCl chemistry and 43°C bath are identical from a single prototype part up to full production — the chemistry does not depend on quantity. Conveyor speed stays in the 0.12-1.08 m/min range. Only the per-part economics shift, since fixed photomask and setup costs dominate at low volumes.

Need a Quote for This Process?

WET Etched runs production wet chemical etching lines using the FeCl₃+HCl chemistry. Send us your part drawing and quantity for a full process quote.

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