Chemical Etching Formula
SPHC Hot-Rolled Steel with FeCl₃

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 for SPHC Hot-Rolled Steel?

On SPHC Hot-Rolled 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 SPHC Hot-Rolled Steel etch line runs a variant of this formula.

Process Window & Bath Control

The process window for this FeCl₃ formula centres on 46°C and 40 °Bé. Conveyor speed spans 0.12-1.12 m/min over the 0.1-0.5 mm thickness band; the typical operating point is 0.31 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

Design rules for this recipe: hole diameter 120-600 μm, line width 100-500 μm, single-side undercut 19-93 μm — all as a function of thickness across 0.1-0.5 mm. The higher the etch factor (this formula holds about 2.70), the tighter the achievable tolerance. Below the minimum feature sizes, yield falls off steeply, so treat those numbers as hard floors rather than targets.

Yield & Production Economics

Expect a yield in the 96-97% range for SPHC Hot-Rolled Steel with FeCl₃, with 96.7% 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

SPHC Hot-Rolled 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

On the shop floor, this SPHC Hot-Rolled Steel + FeCl₃ recipe is implemented on a wet chemical etching machine. The 46°C bath setpoint and 0.12-1.12 m/min conveyor range correspond to verified production envelopes on that equipment for through etch (double-sided).

If you need a wider view of steel beyond this single recipe, our Steel chemical etching guide covers grade selection, photoresist compatibility, and typical industries that consume this metal in etched form.

Production Use Cases for This Formula

Typical end-uses for SPHC Hot-Rolled Steel run on this formula include high-speed air-intake mesh for hair dryers, juicer filtration mesh etching, and stainless steel mesh for aroma diffusers. The 46°C bath and 0.1-0.5 mm supported thickness range cover most of the production work in these segments without re-tuning chemistry.

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

The FeCl₃ chemistry is also documented for these alloys.

More Carbon & Tool Steel Formulas

Other formulas in the same material family.

Frequently Asked Questions