PEI was one of the first manufacturers to etch pure titanium, and our expertise in this complex process opens new doors of opportunity for multiple industries including medical implants for pacemakers and reconstructive surgeries; aerospace; hydrogen electrolyser bipolar plates; and other military and commercial applications requiring light-weight, strong parts that are resistant to corrosion and high temperature. Titanium’s smooth surface also limits adhesion of foreign materials, reducing contamination from extraneous sources.
Using the photochemical etching process, PEI manufactures a wide range of medical parts and implantables from titanium and titanium alloys without inducing the stresses common to traditional machining. Flexible, lightweight titanium mesh can be manufactured in any size or pattern style, with countersunk holes for flush-mounting screws. Titanium plates used in reconstructive surgery can be created in complex shapes and sizes.
PEI has become a leader in providing pure titanium anode and cathode plates for fuel cells, oxygen generators, and hydrogen generators. Using our proprietary process, pure titanium can be chemically etched without inducing the stresses common to machining, allowing it to be friction-bonded or brazed. We can etch titanium to specific customer specifications, in a wide range of sizes from extremely thin (0.0127 mm) to extremely thick (2.286 mm). Our process results in an exceptionally smooth surface and channels, with no burrs or other surface irregularities. Thin pure titanium plates are also more durable and light-weight than other options. PEI’s expertise in producing photoetched titanium parts in production quantities allows manufacturers to meet high-volume, low-cost manufacturing goals to accelerate the commercial viability of fuel cells as well as oxygen and hydrogen generators.
PEI’s photochemically-etched titanium electrolyser bipolar plates can be single-sided or double-sided, with all dimensions held to extremely high tolerances, even when there are multiple channel depths on the same plate. PEI’s fuel cell plates are available in thicknesses from 0.5 mil (0.0127 mm) to 100 mil (2.54 mm), with features as small as 4 mil (0.10 mm) on 0.010 in. (0.254 mm) centers. The wide range of thickness of these metal plates allows them to be stacked or layered, giving electrolyser bipolar plate manufacturers greater flexibility in design while providing improved durability and conductivity over non-metallic materials. They can be fabricated in a myriad of shapes and sizes with round or hexagonal holes, ovals and slots or customized with the customer’s logo. Since the plates are lightweight and impact-resistant, manufacturers can produce longer-lived fuel cells with lower shipping costs.
These are a few example of etched Titanium parts. However, PEI as a full service chemical machining company, can produce any type of Titanium metal part provided its features and tolerances falls within the process capabilities.
PEI’s manufacturing process meets the most stringent international certification standards, and all of our products are proudly made in the U.S.A.
Please click here to go directly to our titanium etching guidelines.