Chemical Etching Formula
SKD11 Cold-Work Die Steel with FeCl₃+HCl

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.

Why FeCl₃+HCl for SKD11 Cold-Work Die Steel?

On SKD11 Cold-Work Die Steel, 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 SKD11 Cold-Work Die Steel etch line runs a variant of this formula.

Process Window & Bath Control

The process window for this FeCl₃+HCl formula centres on 52°C and 46 °Bé. Conveyor speed spans 0.12-0.98 m/min over the 0.1-0.5 mm thickness band; the typical operating point is 0.27 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 SKD11 Cold-Work Die Steel 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 ~2.60 and undercut range of 19-96 μm determine how much the mask must be biased to land the finished dimension on target.

Yield & Production Economics

Expect a yield in the 95.5-96.7% range for SKD11 Cold-Work Die Steel with FeCl₃+HCl, with 96.3% typical on a well-controlled line. Most rejects trace back to upstream coating and exposure rather than to the etch bath itself, so tightening photolithography control is usually the fastest path to a higher number.

Typical Applications

SKD11 Cold-Work Die Steel etched with this recipe typically ends up in spring elements, blades, shim stock, and stamped-replacement flat parts. Because chemical etching applies no mechanical or thermal load, the finished features are free of work-hardening and heat-affected zones — a decisive advantage over stamping or laser cutting for these uses.

Process Equipment & Material Reference

Production of SKD11 Cold-Work Die Steel parts using the FeCl₃+HCl formula described above runs on a wet chemical etching machine configured for through etch (double-sided). The bath chemistry, conveyor speed, and rinse cascade detailed on this page reflect the operating profile we use on a live spray-etching line for this alloy.

For a broader treatment of the material itself — alloy variants, surface preparation, and process limits across thickness ranges — see our Steel chemical etching guide. That overview complements the formula-specific bath and conveyor data on this page.

Production Use Cases for This Formula

Production examples for the SKD11 Cold-Work Die Steel / FeCl₃+HCl recipe span stainless steel metal filter mesh, mobile-phone earpiece mesh, and cold-press juicer filtration mesh. In every case, the etch factor and undercut figures on this page are the dominant tolerance drivers — bath maintenance discipline matters more than equipment headline rating.

Adjacent applications usually transfer onto this same formula with no chemistry change, sometimes only a conveyor speed tweak. Drop a drawing and a target volume and we will return a process card built off the parameters on this page.

Other Metals Etched with FeCl₃+HCl

The FeCl₃+HCl chemistry is also documented for these alloys.

More Carbon & Tool Steel Formulas

Other formulas in the same material family.

Frequently Asked Questions