Etching

Etching is a common process in surface technology that is used to remove material from the surface of a workpiece. This process is used in various industries to create precise structures, clean surfaces or selectively remove certain materials.

In chemical etching, the workpiece is immersed in or treated with an etching solution. The etching solution contains chemical substances that react with the material to be etched. This reaction causes the material to be removed in dissolved form. The resulting structure or surface depends on the type of etching solution, the exposure time and the specific properties of the material to be processed.

Dry etching or plasma etching uses an ionized gas that is directed at the workpiece instead of a liquid. This process allows for more precise and controlled processing, especially with sensitive materials or in microelectronics.

Etching is widely used in the manufacture of printed circuit boards, microchips, sensors and many other components. It enables the creation of fine structures and precision patterns on the surface of materials and contributes significantly to the production of high-precision components in microelectronics and other industries.