Electrochemical Electrolyte Solutions for metal etching

Electrolytes are liquid solutions used to aid the electrochemical marking process.

Electrochemical etching is often incorrectly referred to as "acid etching" - however unlike "acid etching" - electrochemical electrolytes are not caustic and will not cause harm through incidental skin contact.

Electrolyte is simply used to aid the flow of low-voltage electric charge through the gaps in the stencil. Most of the electrolytes are corrosion-free, and for those which are not, we can supply the appropriate neutralyte (neutralising solution) where the material is susceptible to corrosion.

Although there are a few "general purpose" electrolytes - the use of a specific electrolyte to suit the particular material may yield a better result.

Summary:

Electrolyte	Material/Application
33	Hard chrome plated metals
332	Carbides
676	Tool steels Ball bearings
67/10/3	All corrosion-susceptibly, ordinary steels
6744	Chrome steels and other stainless steels
639	Aluminium die casting Zinc plated materials
71	Chemically nickel plated materials high-alloyed tool steels
72	Chrome steels (18/8, VA)
74	Saw blades
75	Chrome plated materials
98	Titanium
117	Black oxidized (bronzed) materials
119	Steam-finished materials

Detailed listing

Material	Type of marking			Felt/Conductive net					Aftercare
	Dark (black marking)	Deep (etching only)	Light (white marking)	Felt BK (44/F, 46/F)	Felt GN (35/F)	Felt GY (43/F)	Felt WH (37/F)	Conductive net	Neutralise	Wash with cold water	Wipe with dry cloth
Aluminium		71			x	x					x
Aluminium		332		x		x		x	x		x
Aluminium		402				x				x
Aluminium	6744			x				x			x
Aluminium	8090			x					x		x
Aluminium		DE10		x				x	x		x
Aluminium		DE20				x			x		x
Aluminium		DE40			x	x			x		x
Aluminium		DE90		x				x	x		x
Aluminium	SP1			x				x	x		x
Aluminium diecasting	639			x				x	x		x
Aluminium, pure	6744 + DE30			x				x			x
Aluminium, pure	44 + 8090								x		x
Aluminium, pure	55 + DE10			x				x	x		x
Al: hot-dip Al coated metals	80			x				x			x
Al: hot-dip Al coated metals	676			x				x			x
Al: hot-dip Al coated metals	701/9			x				x	x		x
Brass	71			x				x			x
Brass	401					x				x
Brass	402					x				x
Brass		DE20				x			x		x
Brass	639 + N2			x				x	x		x
Brass, pure	502			x				x	x		x
Brass, pure	676R/74			x				x			x
Brass, pure	75+639+N1			x				x	x		x
Brass, pure	639 + N2			x				x	x		x
Brass, gold plated			402			x				x
Bronze	402					x				x
Carbide	332			x				x	x		x
Carbide	332/2			x				x	x		x
Carbide		332/2				x			x		x
Carbide	332/9			x				x	x		x
Carbide		332/9				x			x		x
Copper	122			x				x	x		x
Copper		DE20				x			x		x
Copper	639 + N8			x				x	x		x
Copper	201 + N1			x				x	x		x
Copper	NF100 + N1			x				x	x		x
Copper	55 + DE10			x				x	x		x
Copper alloy, heat resistant	401					x				x
Cr: yellow chromated metals			8090	x				x	x		x
Cr: chromed metals	75			x				x	x		x
Cr: chromed metals	6744			x				x			x
Cr: chromed metals	DE20								x		x
Cr: chromed metals	SP1			x				x	x		x
Cr: hard chromed metals	75			x				x	x		x
Cr: hard chromed metals	332			x				x	x		x
Cr: hard chromed metals	332/2			x				x	x		x
Cr: hard chromed metals	33			x				x			x
Cr: chrome steel	72			x				x	x		x
Cr: chrome steel	75			x				x	x		x
Cr: chrome steel	676			x				x			x
Cr: chrome steel	67/10/3			x				x			x
Chrome nickel titan alloy	402		402			x				x
Grey cast iron	70			x				x			x
Grey cast iron	71			x				x			x
Grey cast iron	72			x				x	x		x
Grey cast iron	80			x				x			x
Grey cast iron	6744			x				x			x
Grey cast iron	SP1			x				x	x		x
Nickel silver No. 2.0771	639			x				x	x		x
Ni: chemically Ni plated metals	44			x				x	x		x
Ni: chemically Ni plated metals	71			x				x			x
Ni: chemically Ni plated metals	75			x				x	x		x
Ni: chemically Ni plated metals	6744 + N1			x				x	x		x
Ni: chemically Ni plated metals	44 + 8090								x		x
Ni: chemically Ni plated metals	55 + DE10			x				x	x		x
Nickel titan cobalt alloy	402					x				x
Nitrified metals	33			x				x			x
Nitrified metals	119			x				x	x		x
Nitrified metals			119	x				x	x		x
Slide gauges	332/2			x				x	x		x
Stainless steel	70			x				x			x
Stainless steel	71			x				x			x
Stainless steel		71		x		x		x			x
Stainless steel	72			x				x	x		x
Stainless steel	75			x				x	x		x
Stainless steel			117						x		x
Stainless steel		117							x		x
Stainless steel			119						x		x
Stainless steel		119							x		x
Stainless steel	401					x				x
Stainless steel	701/2			x				x	x		x
Stainless steel	701/9			x				x	x		x
Stainless steel	6744			x				x			x
Stainless steel	DE20								x		x
Stainless steel		DE20				x			x		x
Stainless steel	SP1			x				x	x		x
Stainless steel	33 + DE40								x		x
Stainless steel		33 + DE40			x	x			x		x
Steel, blank	676			x				x			x
Steel, blank	67/10/3			x				x			x
Steel, blank		DE20			x	x			x		x
Steel, bronzed			114	x				x	x		x
Steel, bronzed			117	x				x	x		x
Steel, steam-finished			119	x				x	x		x
Steel, hot-dip galvanised	401					x				x
Steel, hot-dip galvanised	402					x				x
Steel, zinc-plated	6744/2			x				x	x		x
Steel, rust-free	402					x				x
Steel St 37	401					x				x
Steel St 37	402					x				x
Steel, non-alloy	401						x			x
Steel, non-alloy	676				x			x			x
Steel, non-alloy	67/10/3				x			x			x
Steel, non-alloy		DE20				x	x		x		x
Steel, non-alloy		DE40				x	x		x		x
Titan	98				x			x			x
Titan	332/2				x			x	x		x
Titan	332/9				x			x	x		x
Titan	402						x			x
Titan	502				x			x	x		x
VA steel	114				x			x	x		x
VA steel	115				x			x	x		x
VA steel	402						x			x
VA steel	6744				x			x			x
Zi: zinc-plated metals	502				x			x	x		x
Zi: zinc-plated metals	639				x			x	x		x
Zi: zinc-plated metals	KN201				x			x			x
Zi: zinc-plated metals	NF100				x			x			x
Zinc diecasting	502				x			x	x		x
Zinc diecasting	DE10				x			x	x		x
Zinc diecasting	KN201				x			x			x

Due to the large variety of different material and alloys, this list is not exhaustive. Should you wish to ensure the most suitable electrolyte is chosen, we can conduct sample-marking to ensure that you use the best electrolyte for your metal.

Printing Equipment:

Etching Accessories

Metal Etching

Electrochemical Electrolyte Solutions

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