Etching
Term: Etching
Category: Coating Method
Definition: Etching is a method of surface preparation or modification before coating or bonding.
It is through the increase in surface area, addition of functionalized reactive sites, or cleaning particles (contaminants) off the treated surface that etching can be utilized to promote the effective and uniform adhesion of any coatings that will be applied after the etching (e.g., hydrophilic layers or polymer-based coatings).
Types of Etching:
Etching can be performed either chemically or physically, or with a combination of both techniques, to provide better adhesion, wettability, and/or functional performance of the surfaces being treated.
- Chemical etching employs an acid, base, or some form of reactive chemical solution to either dissolve or create a reaction at the substrate’s surface to create micro-roughening (i.e., generating surface “scars”).
- Physical etching techniques utilize plasma or an ion beam to bombard the substrate with high-energy particles to eliminate surface layers from the substrate.
Related Content and Resources:
5 Common Coating Methods: Dip, Spin, Spray, Flow, & Meniscus
