Plate Heat Exchangers 

Etch Tech are specialists in the photo etching of plate heat exchangers for the Aerospace, Chemical, Electronics cooling, Linear Motor, and Petrochemical, sectors. A plate heat exchanger is a type of heat exchanger that uses metal plates to transfer heat between two fluids. The major advantage of this over conventional heat exchangers is that the fluids are exposed to a far larger surface area. This is because the fluids spread out over the heat exchanger plates. Heat exchange plates are manufactured by Etch Tech, utilising the photo etching / chemical milling process, in Aluminium, Inconel, Stainless Steel, and Titanium.  
 
The heat exchangers are manufactured as flat plates with high-precision nano-etched fluid flow channels. These micro-channels can be etched into both sides of the heat exchange plate or, alternatively, just the top surface. It is for this design reason that plate heat exchangers are sometimes referred to as 'Printed Circuit Heat Exchangers' (PCHE’s), due to the manufacturing process being the same as that used for printed circuits. 
 
The plates, having been photo etched / chemically milled, are then stack and either; diffusion bonded; diffusion brazed; or brazed, together in order to make the final heat exchanger product. Utilising the processes of chemical etching and diffusion bonding together, allows for a wide range of construction materials, and therefor a wide range of clean fluids within the heat exchanger product (even corrosive clean fluids). 
 
Etch Tech's finished plate heat exchangers, or cool plates / cooling plates have significant benefits: 
 
Space and weight savings, due to being far smaller than shell, and tube, heat exchangers. 
Potential pressure capability of 600 bars (9000 psi)  
Temperature durability range from cryogenic to 900°C (1650°F).  
More than two process streams can be incorporated in a single unit and the requirement for piping and valve requirements dramatically reduced due to the capacity for more than two process stream to be incorporated with a single plate heat exchanger unit. 
Functionality can be increased by the incorpation of mixing and reaction within the design of the plate heat exchanger. 
 
Etch Tech can supply chemically milled metal heat exchangers in the following materials: 
 
Aluminium 
Inconel 
Stainless Steel 
Titanium 
 
Design tolerances 
 
The Photo Etching process in place at Etch Tech Ltd is capable of etching extremely fine detail into metal. We have extensive experience working closely with customers to offer improved design tolerances on our etched metal heat exchangers. Please contact our design engineers so discuss your requirements. 
 
For any volume of the production of heat exchangers, the manufacturing technique of choice is Photo Etching / Chemical Milling, see below for an in-depth view of the strengths of the process: 
Benefits of the Photo Chemical Etching Process : 
 
Apertures on both sides as the etchant works on both sides of the metal 
Burr & Stress-free manufacturing method 
Custom parts – you design it – we make it! 
Cost-effective metal component prototyping 
Etch Tech can call on more than 30 years experience in the photo chemical etching of metal components 
High Accuracy 
Low cost tooling 
Industry leading lead times from inception to delivered components 
Prototypes – fast turnaround to meet your needs 
Scalable through Short Run to High Volume 
To find out more about our Photo Etching Process please email, or contact us on 01480 435 548 

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Tell us about your photo chemical etching requirements today and get a fast track quote. We aim to respond to requests within 4 hours of receipt of your contact, 24 hours guaranteed! 

Consult with our design team now! 

Wondering if chemical milling is right for your project? Consult with our team of experienced designers today and we can begin working together!