Overview

An etched brass filter mesh is a photochemically machined perforated screen used for fuel, hydraulic and liquid filtration, where a fixed aperture and a clean web matter more than mesh count alone. A photoresist mask is exposed from film, developed, and the unprotected brass is dissolved so holes, ligaments and the outer frame are formed in one pass with smooth, burr-free walls. Brass H62/H65 and phosphor bronze are the usual substrates, run at 0.05–0.8 mm, with hole diameters down to 0.10 mm, web widths to 0.10 mm and open-area ratios from 30% to 60%.

For filtration and fluid-power buyers, an etched brass filter mesh removes three problems: woven wire cloth has no fixed aperture so retention drifts between lots, punched screens carry burrs that shed into the flow, and laser drilling leaves a tapered, recast hole. Photochemical etching locks hole diameter and pitch from a film, giving repeatable flow and particle cut-off, and one sheet can combine graded hole zones, a solid rim and mounting slots. Sheet or roll-to-roll formats are both available for downstream assembly.

Parameter Window

• Available Materials: brass H62/H65, phosphor bronze, with 304/316L stainless steel and copper as alternatives
• Material Thickness Range: 0.05–0.8 mm
• Tolerance: ±0.02 mm on hole diameter, ±0.05 mm on outer profile
• Minimum Feature: 0.10 mm hole, 0.10 mm web, open-area ratio 30–60%
• Surface Options: polishing, nickel plating, passivation, ultrasonic cleaning, sheet or roll-to-roll format
• Compliance: ISO 9001 process control, RoHS/REACH material traceability

Manufacturing Process / Workflow (8 Steps)

1. Artwork & Flow Review — Convert the hole array to vector artwork and check diameter, web width and open-area ratio against thickness.
2. Material Selection — Match H62/H65 or phosphor bronze temper and finish to the fluid and required stiffness.
3. Cleaning & Lamination — Degrease the sheet and laminate dry-film resist on both faces so no bubbles sit under fine holes.
4. UV Exposure — Expose through high-resolution film registered to the sheet edge for panel-level accuracy.
5. Development — Wash out unexposed resist to open the holes, then inspect under magnification for blocked apertures.
6. Etching — Spray a brass-compatible etchant, controlling time and conveyor speed for straight walls and clean breakthrough.
7. Stripping & Finishing — Remove resist, neutralize, then polish, nickel plate, passivate or ultrasonically clean.
8. Inspection & Packaging — Measure hole diameter, open-area ratio and flatness against the approved sample, then pack flat or on rolls.

Core Advantages

1. Fixed aperture: Hole diameter holds to ±0.02 mm, so particle cut-off and flow are repeatable from lot to lot.
2. Burr-free webs: Chemical removal leaves no roll-over or loose sliver, so nothing sheds into the filtered fluid.
3. No hard tooling: A new hole pattern is a new film, keeping multi-spec, low-volume orders economical.
4. Graded zones in one sheet: Different hole sizes, a solid rim and mounting slots form together without extra setups.
5. Flat and stress-free: No mechanical force is applied, so the mesh stays flat and seals evenly in a filter housing.
6. Corrosion-resistant finish: Brass lets the etched brass filter mesh take nickel plating for fuel and hydraulic duty.

Typical Applications

• Fuel and oil strainers: Uniform apertures that protect injectors and pumps from debris.
• Hydraulic and lubricant filters: Flat screens that seal evenly in high-pressure housings.
• Water and beverage screening: Polished, passivated meshes for food-contact pre-filtration.
• Chemical process screens: Graded-hole plates that classify particles by size.
• Speaker and vent guards: Fine meshes that pass air while blocking dust and droplets.
• Laboratory sieving discs: Calibrated hole arrays for repeatable particle analysis.

Design Notes & Process Considerations

1. Hole-to-thickness ratio: Keep hole diameter at least 1 × material thickness, or taper will pinch the exit.
2. Web width: Hold the minimum ligament at 0.10 mm or 1 × thickness, whichever is larger, to avoid broken webs.
3. Open-area callout: State open-area ratio and target flow, not just hole count, so pressure drop can be verified.
4. Graded zones: Define each zone's hole size and boundary, and confirm the transition does not leave a weak web.
5. Flatness and cleaning: Call out flatness per 100 mm and ultrasonic cleaning so no resist residue stays in the holes.
6. Format and handling: Declare sheet or roll-to-roll delivery and protective interleaf, since thin mesh creases easily.