Unmatched Precision. Proven Expertise. Industry-Leading Quality.
PEI is the trusted choice for titanium photo-chemical etching, delivering burr-free, stress-free, and dimensionally precise parts for aerospace, medical, defense, electronics, and advanced technology sectors. Backed by AS9100D, ISO 9001/14001, ITAR, RoHS, and NADCAP certifications, we meet the most rigorous global quality and compliance standards.
Titanium (Ti) is one of the world’s most important metals because it is used as the basis for life-saving medical components, environment-conserving renewable energy, and hundreds of innovative technologies. Its natural strength, high corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility make it a sought-after, versatile metal for medical, renewable energy, defense, and technology applications. Whether working with pure titanium or specialized alloys, PEI’s expertise in preparing titanium for complex applications ensures unmatched precision and quality.
PEI is the world’s leader in the photochemical etching of titanium. We produce bipolar electrolyzer plates used in the production of hydrogen energy, and meshes and implants for medical procedures. Our experts have extensive experience in engineering, titanium photochemical etching, finishing, and quality assurance services.
The unique properties of titanium make it ideal for dozens of applications across the world’s most important industries.
Titanium’s lightweight and high strength-to-weight ratio make it ideal for parts and components where weight reduction is desirable but strength is essential.
Non-corrosive metals, such as titanium, are ideal for use in challenging environments and can withstand exposure to aggressive substances, including high-temperature fluids, chemicals, and saltwater, without significant degradation.
Non-toxic and well-tolerated by the human body, titanium reduces the risk of rejection, promoting successful integration with surrounding tissues. It’s the material of choice for medical implants and devices.
Titanium can withstand high temperatures without deformation or degradation, making it perfect for applications involving extreme heat, such as gas turbines, heat exchangers, and nuclear power systems.
We specialize in tight-tolerance titanium etching, from prototypes to full-scale production runs. Please see our Design Guide or Contact Us for more information about our additional manufacturing capabilities.
Max 24” x 30”
Minimum 0.0005” — Max 0.200”
Dependent on material thickness. See design guide.
2x material thickness
Material thickness
Approx. 80% material thickness
DIA + 2x material thickness
± 10% material thickness, no less than ±0.002"
Our proprietary Eco-Chem™ photochemical etching process is engineered for precision, safety, and sustainability.
Unlike mechanical or laser cutting, our process does not introduce stress or heat distortion.
We use proprietary, RoHS-compliant etchants (including hydrofluoric acid) designed to minimize environmental impact.
Our proven process means no heat-affected zones or micro-cracks, maintaining the full strength of titanium.
We offer short lead times for prototypes and scalable production capacity.
Our engineers collaborate closely with you to optimize designs for manufacturability and cost efficiency.
Our facilities adhere to rigorous handling protocols and employ advanced containment systems to ensure maximum safety during chemical etching operations.
Photochemical etching is preferred for thin, complex titanium parts because it creates fine features without thermal distortion, heat-affected zones, or burrs. Laser cutting can be useful for some titanium work, but etching is a better fit when feature density, surface quality, repeatability, and stress-free processing are the priorities.
Etched titanium parts may require post-etch services such as forming, finishing, coating, plating, assembly, cleaning, inspection, and packaging depending on the application. The full set of available secondary operations should be confirmed with the supplier at quoting based on the specific part requirements.
Titanium is difficult to etch because it forms a stable oxide layer that gives the metal its corrosion resistance but also makes it resistant to many common etchants. Specialist chemistry and precise process control are required to etch titanium reliably in a controlled industrial environment.
Photochemical etching can produce a wide range of titanium parts, including bipolar electrolyzer plates, medical meshes, implants, stents, surgical instruments, aerospace structural components, defense electronics parts, EMI/RFI shielding, and renewable-energy components. The right titanium grade, thickness, and finishing approach depend on the specific application requirements.
Photochemically etched titanium can be suitable for medical implant and device applications when the titanium grade, surface condition, cleanliness, traceability, and quality system meet regulatory requirements. Titanium is recognized as biocompatible, and PEI’s process can support medical mesh, implant, stent, and surgical instrument applications.
Eco-Chem™ is PEI’s proprietary titanium photochemical etching process, using RoHS-compliant, HF-based etchants to produce precision titanium components in a controlled production environment. It is PEI’s established method for titanium etching across medical, aerospace, defense, and energy applications.
Minimum hole and slot size for titanium etching is thickness-dependent, and as a general rule hole diameter should account for the diameter plus two times the material thickness. Minimum slot size, bar width, and feature size should also be confirmed against material thickness and tolerance requirements during the design review stage.
Photochemical etching is a low-stress process because material is removed chemically rather than by mechanical force or high-heat cutting. PEI’s titanium etching process produces parts without heat-affected zones, micro-cracks, stress, or heat distortion, preserving the material’s inherent mechanical properties.
Photochemically etched titanium is well suited to aerospace applications that require thin, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and high-precision components. PEI’s aerospace certifications, including AS9100D and NADCAP, support quality and traceability requirements for aerospace titanium programs.
Photofabrication technology is commonly used in industries that require precision metal components and intricate designs. Key industries include renewable energy, medical devices, defense and aerospace, automotive, microelectronics, and decorative manufacturing. Photochemical etching enables these sectors to produce lightweight, durable, and highly accurate metal parts for advanced industrial and commercial applications.
Our services don’t just stop at etching. We offer a full-service solution for titanium components that includes:
PEI’s titanium etching solutions are trusted by leaders across various industries, from aerospace to medical, defense to electronics. Our ability to achieve tight tolerances, burr-free finishes, and rapid turnaround makes us the partner of choice for high-performance, mission-critical components.
We manufacture lightweight turbine components, EMI/RFI shielding, precision brackets, and structural parts that meet stringent AS9100D and NADCAP-accredited standards. Our photochemical process ensures parts maintain their full integrity with no heat-affected zones, critical for aerospace reliability and safety.
We etch implants, stents, surgical instruments, and prosthetic components from pure titanium and titanium alloys with burr-free, smooth edges essential for patient safety. Our medical components are manufactured to ISO 9001/14001 quality standards.
We produce secure communication hardware, RF/EMI shielding, and mission-critical components using ITAR-compliant processes. Our proprietary Eco-Chem™ method preserves metal integrity, providing components that perform flawlessly in extreme environments.
We deliver fine circuits, EMI/RFI shielding, battery components, and micro-heat sinks, achieving ultra-fine geometries (as small as 0.001″). Our titanium components are ideal for semiconductors, consumer electronics, and IoT devices where thermal stability and high performance are critical.
We support clean energy initiatives with battery components, fuel cell plates, bipolar electrolyzer plates for hydrogen production, and precision energy storage parts. Our eco-friendly etching process aligns with sustainability goals while ensuring tight-tolerance, corrosion-resistant components.
We work with our partners to introduce new ideas and enhanced manufacturing solutions. Our engineers leverage the power of technology and decades of experience to ensure each design and plan will deliver the expected results, whether for the latest in renewable energy or a new life-saving medical technology.
PEI’s commitment to delivering thin metal parts and components utilizing precision photochemical etching dates back decades. We are the world’s leading etcher of titanium and can handle aluminum, beryllium copper, molybdenum, and many other metals. PCE is an ideal manufacturing process for rapid prototyping and high-production runs.
Our precision operators turn thin metal parts into reliable components with meticulous machine and manual forming techniques. PEI’s forming expertise starts at the first step, enabling us to develop highly accurate parts that our team forms to exact standards and specifications.
Protecting precision metal parts from corrosion, wear, and environmental hazards is job number one when applying coatings, finishes, plating, or paint. Finishing applications also offer antibiotic and aesthetic benefits to the parts we produce via photochemical etching.
PEI delivers durable and reliable assembled components found in power-generating, life-saving, and high-technology applications worldwide. Our expert team of engineers and operators will ensure our partners receive ready-to-implement solutions that will last.
The PEI Quality Assurance team analyzes every thin metal part and component to ensure its precision, accuracy, and durability. Our team uses a combination of technological and manual inspection techniques to check for imperfections before any part or component leaves our facility.
Industries and technologies evolve when people work together to push boundaries and uncover new solutions. For over 50 years, we’ve stood shoulder to shoulder as leading companies across every market sector push forward with revolutionary changes that change the world. We are ready to share and leverage knowledge and expertise to collaborate with our customers for mutual success.
With over 50 years of innovation in photochemical machining, PEI is the trusted partner for industries where precision is mission-critical. Whether you need complex titanium parts, prototypes, or production volumes, our engineering team is ready to help.
PEI’s long history of meeting and exceeding industry standards and customer expectations began in 1968. For over 50 years, we’ve kept quality assurance at the forefront of our work by training our manufacturing teams, maintaining our equipment, and establishing rigorous internal controls. PEI holds several certifications, including ISO9001:2015, AS9100:2016, and ITAR. We adhere to MIL-STD-45662, MIL-STD-105, and ANSI/ASQC Z1.4 quality standards.
