Etching titanium

[Frank Niro]

Hello all. I want to etch my name on titanium. Where can i get an electrolyte to do this? Thanks Frank.

[Agletric]

Frank,

If the Titanium isn't yet annodized, I know IMG sells an electrolyte they say will work (and they're pretty good about knowing such things). I also wouldn't be supprsed if most of the marking companies have their equivilent solution, so take your pick and ask.

The only problem IMG has mentioned is Annodization. Once it's done, you can't get to the titanium to etch. They recommend etching, then annodizing, since the annodizing shouldn't damage the etch.

Dan <><

[Frank Niro]

Hi Dan. Thanks. Do you have a url ? Frank

[Agletric]

Frank,

Homepage is :

http://www.img-electromark.com/

While you're at it you might want to check out their electrolyte table at:

http://www.img-electromark.com/table.php

The primary contact is Patricia Bruno, at:

pbruno@img-electromark.com

(from memory -- pretty sure that's right)

You can always call at:

800-775-ETCH (3824)



I'm not much of a "chatting on the phone" guy, but The conversation I had was very good, VERY informative, and I wasn't talking to their sales temp, I was talking with someone who had done the process before. big plus in my book.

Now while we aren't even close to their main source of income, it was a bit of a suprise to me how much they were concerned with getting it right. they even offered the service of taking in samples to test against their solutions for a best fit. Probably wouldn't have been free, but for the small sales we generate, It's at least showing a genuine concern for the customer.

I paid about $60 for an electrolyte pack, 190 in^2 of stencil, devloper, and shipping. Not sure how this compares, but dropping $60 dollars for consumable supplies during christmas time is at my cringing point . . . But in the end about 1/4 of the stencils were used in making 5-6 christmas gifts . . .

All told, A good company to work with. If my day job calls for marking in quantity, I'll have them at the top of my list.

Dan <><

[Agletric]

Doh!


The warning was for aluminum annodizing . . . not titanium. That's what I get for not paying attention.

Dan <><

[Frank Niro]

Hi thanks again Dan. That will help me, I'm sure. Frank