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Nickel Silver Etching Services
Tecomet Inc. specializes in nickel silver (Ni-Ag (nickel silver) chemical etching of high precision, very thin metal foils, a process also known as photochemical etching. We have earned our reputation by machining foils with excellent feature and tolerance control, ensuring that the components we manufacture meet the most demanding specifications. We can successfully etch production Ni-Ag, or nickel silver, components that are 0.0005 inches thick (0.013 mm), or 10% of the thickness of a human hair. We can also etch Ni-Ag as thick as 0.040 inches (1.0 mm).
Nickel silver is considered a Copper-Nickel-Zinc alloy. While Nickel Silver contains no actual silver, the name its name comes from its Nickel content and silver-like appearance. Other names for this material can include Nickel Brass, New Silver, German Silver, or even Electrum.
Nickel Silver Chemical Etching Capabilities
Tecomet Inc.’s state-of-the-art Nickel Silver etching process is cost-effective and repeatable, producing even the most intricate parts reliably and to the tightest tolerances. Nickel Silver chemical etching allows components to be machined without affecting the remaining material or surface finish. The finished part has a clean cut with no heat-affected zones or burrs. Tecomet Inc.’s process can be used to create exacting half-etch and partial-etch areas that are impossible to produce with other manufacturing methods. Partial and half-etch processing can be used to create features with varying thicknesses, mark the surface of a component with a logo or part number and facilitate bending during fabrication and assembly. Chemical machining is also used to micro-etch the surface of completed components to improve bonding in later processes.
Applications of Nickel Silver Etching
Ni-Ag is a ductile material, making it ideal for use in fine mesh filters. Nickel Silver is often used in situations that would otherwise require tin-plated copper. Applications can include shielding and covers to provide RF / EMI protection for electronic components and telecommunications equipment. Because of nickel-silver’s ability to be soldered without any additional plating, it can offer significant cost savings during manufacturing. Our nickel-silver components are DFARS and ITAR compliant for use in defense applications and are manufactured to ISO 9001:2015 standards.
Tecomet’s nickel-silver etching capabilities complement our broader suite of services for complex medical and industrial components. For applications requiring surface modification or enhanced mechanical properties, our 3D photo chemical etching process delivers high-precision textures on implants and tools. We also manufacture surgical broaches and etched spinal implants, both of which rely on tight tolerances and burr-free edges similar to nickel-silver components. For lightweight structural parts such as cranial mesh and plates, our expertise ensures consistent etching on delicate geometries. All etched parts can be further enhanced with our secondary metal finishing services, ensuring performance and compliance across industries.
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Nickel Silver Etching Applications by Industry
Nickel silver's solder-ability, corrosion resistance, and non-magnetic properties make it a preferred material across several of the industries we serve:
- Electronics: Etched nickel-silver shields, covers, and filters protect sensitive circuitry from RF and EMI interference without the cost of secondary plating.
- Telecommunications: Nickel-silver components are used in shielding cans and enclosures for signal integrity in telecom hardware.
- Defense: All nickel-silver components are produced to DFARS and ITAR compliance standards for defense and government contract applications.
FAQs
How tight can half-etch tolerances be held on nickel silver parts?
Half-etch (partial-depth) features on nickel silver typically hold depth tolerances within ±10% of target, governed by the 110% rule: minimum feature size should be roughly 110% of material thickness. This makes half-etching viable for variable-thickness EMI shield fingers, logo/part marking, and controlled fold lines without a secondary machining step.
Why does nickel silver solder without plating when other shielding alloys don't?
Nickel silver's copper-nickel-zinc composition resists surface oxidation more effectively than bare copper or brass, so it doesn't form the insulating oxide layer that typically necessitates tin or nickel plating before soldering. This eliminates a plating step and its associated cost, lead time, and DFARS-sourcing complexity for defense-rated assemblies.
How does chemically etched nickel silver compare to stamped nickel silver for EMI shield cans?
Etching avoids the tool-and-die investment and mechanical stress of stamping, making it more economical below high-volume thresholds and essential for features under ∼0.005" with tight geometry. Stamping remains more cost-effective at very high volumes with simple geometries, but introduces burrs and tool wear that etching eliminates entirely.
Can nickel silver etched parts meet DFARS specialty metals compliance for defense contracts?
Yes — nickel silver sourced and processed domestically can meet DFARS specialty metals clause requirements. Tecomet's nickel silver components are manufactured to ISO 9001:2015 standards and are ITAR-compliant, supporting traceability documentation defense primes and subcontractors need for DFARS 252.225-7009 compliance verification.
To learn more about our Nickel Silver etching services, contact Tecomet Inc. today!
