Material preparation is a critical step in the chemical etching process, as it directly influences the accuracy, quality, and consistency of the finished components. Before etching begins, the chosen metal sheets—such as stainless steel, copper, brass, nickel, or titanium—must undergo several preparation stages to ensure surface cleanliness and uniformity.

First, raw materials are carefully inspected to confirm thickness, flatness, and alloy composition, since variations can affect etching depth and precision. The sheets are then degreased and cleaned to remove oils, oxides, dust, and other contaminants that may interfere with photoresist adhesion or cause uneven etching.

Next, surface treatment processes such as mechanical brushing or chemical cleaning are applied to achieve an ideal surface condition. Proper adhesion of the photoresist coating is essential, as even minor defects can lead to dimensional errors or incomplete features.

Finally, the prepared material is dried and handled in a controlled environment to prevent recontamination before photoresist lamination. By ensuring thorough and precise material preparation, manufacturers can achieve consistent etching performance, sharper feature resolution, and higher yield in both prototyping and mass production.