Stainless Steel
High-Strength. Corrosion-Resistant.
Elcon specializes in etching many grades of stainless steel – most notably 304, 316, 420, 719, 17-4 PH, 2205, 4130, and 5510. Stainless steel is a high-strength, corrosion-resistant metal well-suited for many critical applications and industries, including biomedical, industrial, and aerospace. Ferritic (17-4 PH and 4130) and martensitic (420) stainless steels are magnetic, while austenitic (304 and 316) and duplex (2205) stainless steels are weakly magnetic. Stainless steel serves as an invaluable material in the production of precision parts such as fine mesh screens, sensor elements, actuators, sharp needles, and medical components. Elcon’s best-in-class etching process allows us to create very sharp cutting surfaces from stainless steel.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel also serves as an excellent alternative to aluminum due to its strength, fatigue properties, and ability to withstand high temperatures. It is especially recommended over aluminum if the application depends on material strength and/or the material’s ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions. Ferritic stainless steel can be more than 10 times stronger than aluminum, while austenitic stainless steel can be five times stronger. Stainless steel surfaces can be passivated for improved corrosion resistance if necessary and can handle conditions of up to 700°C. Aluminum components are only optimal in low-temperature applications of less than 300°C.
For these reasons, we often recommend stainless steel as a reliable alternative to aluminum. If material weight is an important factor in the success of your application, titanium may serve as a better option.
Our Capabilities
- Etching of many grades of stainless steel, including 304, 316, 420, 719, 17-4 PH, 2205, 4130, and 5510
- Combining CNC machining and photochemical etching on sheets up to 2mm thick
- Etching of up to 0.025″ thick sheets ranging up to 22×12 inches
- Tolerances of ±.0005″ in many applications
Applications
- Prototyping components
- Fine mesh screens and filters
- Sensor components
- Machine actuators
- Medical components
- Surgical blades and tools
- Springs
- Alternative for aluminum components
