Overview

An etched brass bracket is a flat, burr-free structural or mounting part cut from H62/H65 brass, C2680 or phosphor-bronze sheet by photochemical machining, rather than by stamping or laser cutting. A resist mask carries the outline, slots, half-etched fold lines and any fine reliefs, the exposed metal is dissolved in a matched etchant, and the part leaves the line flat with no roll-over or heat tint. Stock from 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm is typical, with outer contour held to ±0.03 mm, fold-line position to ±0.05 mm, slots down to 0.2 mm and half-etched bend lines around 0.1 mm. Because the geometry comes from artwork, a new outline, a revised bend or a mixed part number is a new film rather than a new die.

For automotive, connector and electronics buyers, an etched brass bracket solves the cost and lead-time problem of hard tooling on a part whose design still changes. A stamped bracket needs a die, carries burrs that must be tumbled off and cannot include a half-etched fold line; a laser-cut edge leaves dross that hurts plating and solderability. Photochemical machining holds the outline and bend-line geometry uniformly from the first sheet to the thousandth, so the folded bracket seats squarely and the plating covers evenly. Identification marks, pilot holes and shallow reliefs can be added in the same pass, which suits medium-volume runs where a stamping die would not pay back.

Parameter Window

• Available Materials: H62/H65 brass, C2680, phosphor bronze
• Material Thickness Range: 0.2–1.5 mm
• Tolerance: ±0.03 mm on outer contour, ±0.05 mm on fold-line position
• Minimum Feature: 0.20 mm slot width, 0.10 mm half-etched fold line
• Surface Options: nickel, tin or gold plating, passivation, brushing
• Compliance: ISO 9001 process control, RoHS/REACH material traceability

Manufacturing Process / Workflow (8 Steps)

1. Artwork Review — Convert the drawing to vector art, verify slot and fold-line width against stock, and confirm the bend direction.
2. Material Selection — Pick H62 for general forming, C2680 for deep drawing, or phosphor bronze for spring properties.
3. Cleaning & Lamination — Degrease the sheet and laminate dry-film resist under controlled heat and pressure.
4. UV Exposure — Image the outline and half-etch regions on both faces in registration for clean edges.
5. Development — Wash out unexposed resist and inspect narrow slots for scumming before etching.
6. Etching — Spray etchant matched to the alloy; time and speed set contour accuracy and half-etch residual land.
7. Stripping & Finishing — Remove resist, neutralize, then plate, passivate or brush to the specified finish.
8. Inspection & Packaging — Gauge contour, fold-line depth and flatness against the approved sample and pack in trays.

Core Advantages

1. No tooling cost: A new outline is a new film, so revisions and medium runs stay economical without a stamping die.
2. Burr-free flat parts: Chemical removal leaves no roll-over, so brackets seat squarely and plate evenly.
3. Half-etched bend lines: 0.10 mm fold lines let a flat part bend by hand or jig without a press brake.
4. Fine slots and reliefs: 0.20 mm slots and shallow reliefs hold cleanly on 0.5 mm sheet.
5. Plate-ready surface: Edges are free of dross and heat tint, which protects plating adhesion and solderability.
6. Integrated features: An etched brass bracket can carry pilot holes, marks and reliefs in one pass, cutting secondary operations.

Typical Applications

• Automotive sensor brackets: Flat mounting parts with half-etched bends for tight engine-bay packaging.
• Connector retainers: Brass frames that locate and hold terminals in a housing.
• Shielding-can clips: Spring-temper clips that snap a shield onto a populated board.
• Relay and switch springs: Thin, flat spring members with clean edges and stable temper.
• Terminal-block supports: Mounting frames with slots and pilot holes for assembly alignment.
• Decorative and functional frames: Brushed brass brackets that are visible in the finished product.

Design Notes & Process Considerations

1. Slot width versus thickness: Keep the narrowest slot at no less than 1.2 × stock thickness to avoid closure during etch.
2. Fold-line depth: Give the residual land thickness and bend direction; too thin a land cracks when folded.
3. Plating allowance: State whether contour tolerance applies before or after plating, since plating adds to the size.
4. Flatness: Call out flatness per 100 mm when the bracket is bolted to a mating face.
5. Temper and finish: Specify annealed or spring temper and name the plating or brushing system up front.
6. Panel layout: An etched brass bracket benefits from shared registration marks, which protect outline and fold-line alignment on a mixed sheet.