Letter 30096

Chemically Etching 303 SS  

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Hello,

I am a product designer assisting my quotation department to quote a proposed job. We have had several of our vendors no-quote some 303 stainless parts due to the chemical etch process, and suspect that this process may not be available within the U.S.A. Does anyone know if the following process is available stateside?

1. remove any gross adherents (marker, etc.) using suitable solvent.
2. degrease in 10% phosphoric acid / detergent / surfactant at ambient temperature.
3. wash in cold water.
4. immerse in undiluted nitric acid / hydrofluoric acid (Fluorinox) at ambient temperature ~12 hours.
5. wash with cold water
6. rinse in de-mineralized water
7. dry

Chris Saulnier
Electronics Manufacturer - Gray, Maine, U.S.A.

Ed. note: A 12-hour process time is a lot for most production shops, and hydrofluoric acid is something that must be treated with respect, Mr. Saulnier. But four of the site's supporting advertisers contacted you to quote on this, so it is not unavailable.

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