Cobalt Alloys FeCl₃+HCl

Chemical Etching Formula
L605 Co-Cr-W Alloy with FeCl₃+HCl

The FeCl₃+HCl chemistry is a proven formula for L605 Co-Cr-W Alloy. This reference sheet lists the concentration (48 °Bé), specific gravity (1.450), bath temperature (58°C), and the full range of conveyor speeds and feature tolerances that result. Use it to size your process before committing to a production trial.

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
48 °Bé Concentration
1.450 Specific Gravity
58 °C Bath Temperature
Through etch (double-sided) Etch Depth Type
0.1-0.3 mm Thickness Range
0.20 mm Typical Thickness
0.12-0.55 m/min Conveyor Speed Range
0.18 m/min Typical Speed
120-360 μm Min Hole Ø Range
100-300 μm Min Line Width Range
21-64 μm Undercut Range
2.35 Etch Factor (EF)
94.2% Typical Yield (93.9-94.5%)

Why FeCl₃+HCl for L605 Co-Cr-W Alloy?

Ferric-chloride-based formulas are the industrial workhorse for ferrous, nickel, and copper-bearing alloys like L605 Co-Cr-W Alloy. The Fe³⁺ ion oxidizes the metal surface; where HCl is present it regenerates dissolved species and stabilizes chloride concentration. The result on L605 Co-Cr-W Alloy is anisotropic etching with predictable undercut and an easily regenerated spent bath.

Process Window & Bath Control

Bath control for L605 Co-Cr-W Alloy in FeCl₃+HCl: temperature 58°C, concentration 48 °Bé, specific gravity 1.450. The recipe is tuned for through etch (double-sided). Conveyor speed is the primary throughput control, ranging 0.12-0.55 m/min across the supported thickness range. Check specific gravity each shift with a calibrated hydrometer and correct with fresh make-up or water as needed.

Design Rules & Tolerances

Design rules for this recipe: hole diameter 120-360 μm, line width 100-300 μm, single-side undercut 21-64 μm — all as a function of thickness across 0.1-0.3 mm. The higher the etch factor (this formula holds about 2.35), the tighter the achievable tolerance. Below the minimum feature sizes, yield falls off steeply, so treat those numbers as hard floors rather than targets.

Design Rule Summary
• Minimum hole diameter range: 120-360 μm
• Minimum line width range: 100-300 μm
• Single-side undercut range: 21-64 μm
• Typical etch factor (EF): 2.35

Yield & Production Economics

Typical mass-production yield for L605 Co-Cr-W Alloy in the FeCl₃+HCl system is 94.2%, within an observed range of 93.9-94.5%. The dominant yield-loss modes are photoresist pinhole defects and rinse-water contamination. Improving incoming sheet quality and photoresist coating consistency gives the highest yield-improvement leverage for this formula.

Typical Applications

Typical applications for L605 Co-Cr-W Alloy processed with FeCl₃+HCl include wear-resistant blades, springs, and high-temperature precision parts. The formula's tolerance band and yield make it well suited to medium-to-high-volume precision flat parts.

More Cobalt Alloys Formulas

Other formulas in the same material family.

0Cr21Al6Nb FeCl₃+HCl Through etch (double-sided) 0Cr25Al5 Resistance Alloy FeCl₃+HCl Through etch (double-sided) 1Cr13Al4 Resistance Alloy FeCl₃+HCl Through etch (double-sided)

Frequently Asked Questions

Standard pre-treatment is degrease, micro-etch to activate the surface, rinse, photoresist lamination or coating, UV exposure through the artwork, and develop. Pre-treatment quality directly drives yield for L605 Co-Cr-W Alloy: poor degreasing causes resist adhesion failures that show up as random pinhole defects in the etched pattern.

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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