TASK 70-10-11-350-004

ELECTRO-CHEMICAL ETCH MARKING

1. General.
A. Electro-chemical etch marking is a method for permanently
marking parts by causing an electrically induced chemical
reaction in the part surface. An electrical current is
passed through an electrolyte saturated wick pad and
through a stencil resting on the surface of the part. The
charge electrolyte reacts with the part surface at the
stencil openings causing a readable impression to be made.
B. Surfaces to be marked must be electrically conductive.
Surfaces covered with paint, lacquer or varnish etc.,
cannot be electro-chemically etched.
CAUTION: DO NOT USE ELECTRO-CHEMICAL ETCH MARKING ON ANODIZED
SURFACES IN ORDER TO AVOID INITIATION OF CORROSION
CONDITIONS.
R CAUTION: THE USE OF ELECTROCHEMICAL ETCH MARKING ON THE
R FOLLOWING TYPES OF CRITICAL ENGINE HARDWARE IS NOT
R ALLOWED. THIS RESTRICTION APPLIES TO THE FOLLOWING.
R ROTATING PARTS
R - DISKS - FAN, HIGH PRESSURE COMPRESSOR (HPC), HIGH
R PRESSURE TURBINE (HPT), AND LOW
R - PRESSURE TURBINE (LPT)
R - BLISKS - FAN AND HPC
R - SHAFTS - FAN, HPC, HPT, LPT, AND OUTPUT DRIVE
R - IMPELLERS - HPC
R - SPOOLS - BOOSTER AND HPC
R - ROTATING SEALS - STATOR AND ROTOR CDP, HPT FORWARD
R OUTER, HPT MID/AFT, HPT
R - INTERSTAGE, HPT BALANCE PISTON
R - BLADE RETAINERS, AXISYMMETRIC - HPT AND LPT
R - COOLING PLATES - HPT AND LPT
R - OUTPUT DRIVE SHAFTS
R - PARTICLE SEPARATORS
R - ROTOR TIE RODS AND LOCK NUTS
R - TORQUE COUPLERS
R - DRIVE CONES
R - AIR DUCTS AND PRESSURE TUBES

R PRESSURE VESSELS
R - CASINGS - COMPRESSOR REAR FRAME, COMBUSTION/DIFFUSER, HPT

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R ENGINE MOUNTS
R - LINKS
R - RINGS
R - BEAMS
R - YOKES

R CAUTION: FOR NON-CRITICAL HARDWARE, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT PROPER

R CONTROLS BE ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED TO ASSURE:
R - PROPER AND UNIFORM MARKING DEPTH
R - PROPER ELECTROLYTE SELECTION, NEUTRALIZATION
R - PROPER GROUNDING IN AN APPROVED AREA, AND INSPECTION FOR
R ANY STRAY ELECTRICAL ARCING TO THE PART.

C. Electro-chemical etch marking can be either clear or dark,

shallow or deep, depending upon base metal being marked,
electrolyte used, type (AC or DC) and intensity of current
used and dwell time of application.
(1) Alternating current results in dark marks and direct
current results in clear or light marks, however,
aluminum can be dark marked with DC and light marks
can be made on black-oxide coatings using AC.
(2) Shallow marking of approximately 0.0003 inch (0,008
mm) results from applying AC of low intensity for a
short duration.
(3) Deep marking of approximately 0.002 inch (0,05 mm)
results from applying DC of high intensity.
2. Equipment.
The equipment required for the application of this process can
be obtained from:
Lectroetch Company Monode Marking
5342 Evergreen Pkwy. Products Inc.
Cleveland, OH 44112 USA or 7748 Tyler Blvd
Sheffield Village, OH 44054 USA Mentor, OH 44060 USA
CHIMICOLOR
ZI LES CHARTINIERES
01120 MONTLULEL FRANCE

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 3. Materials.
The materials required for the application of each process can
be obtained from the equipment vendor.
___________________________________________________________________
Product
Materials No.
___________________________________________________________________
(1) Lectroetch 250A Nuclear Grade Compound CP8009
(2) Monode C-10 Compound CP8010
R (3) Monode MSC-1 Compound CP8011
R (4) Monode T10-NC Electrolyte (Nuclear Grade) CP8012
(5) Lectroetch Cleaner No.3 (Nuclear Grade) CP8013
(6) Monode APC Neutralizer CP8014
(7) Stencils Blue (Long life) CP8015
(8) Lectroetch 2611A CP8016
(9) Lectroetch LNC-3 (Nuclear Grade) CP8017
(10) Lectroetch Cleaner No. 2 (Nuclear Grade) CP8018
___________________________________________________________________

4. Procedure.
A. Prepare stencil as follows:
(1) Select proper stencil for application.
(a) Brown stencils are adequate for 1-50 markings.
(b) Blue stencils are available for several hundred
markings.
(2) Cut stencil to size so that the wick pad of the
marker does not extend beyond the edges of the
stencil.
(3) Place stencil in typewriter, white backing paper
against the roller. Use electric typewriter, if
possible.

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 (a) Set typewriter for stencil cutting or remove
ribbon.
(b) Type marking information in center of stencil
with typewriter set on medium pressure. If
manual typewriter isued, apply even pressure for
all characters.
(c) Remove stencil from typewriter, remove backing
paper from stencil and hold stencil up to
light. The typed information should show
completely through the stencil openings.
CAUTION: TO AVOID INFERIOR MARKINGS WHEN USING NEW STENCIL,
MARK ON SAMPLE OR SCRAP PARTS FIRST.
B. Ensure that part is clean and free from all grease, oil,
or film prior to marking.
NOTE: Surface to be marked must be electrically
conductive. Surfaces covered with paints,
lacquers, on enamels cannot be electro-chemically
etched.
CAUTION: EXCESS ELECTROLYTE ON WICK PAD MAY CAUSE MARKING TO
BLUR. TOO LITTLE ELECTROLYTE MAY CAUSE A VERY LIGHT
OR NO MARK.
C. Apply appropriate electrolyte to marker wick pad until
saturated.
NOTE: Different base metal and marking systems require
different electrolytes to accomplish proper
electroetch marking.
D. Place stencil on surface to be marked. Marking location
for specific part is indicated in process document.
CAUTION: USE AS LITTLE CURRENT AND AS SHORT A DWELL TIME THAT
WILL GIVE A SATISFACTORY MARK. HIGH CURRENT AND
LONG DWELL TIMES WILL SHORTEN STENCIL LIFE.
E. Set up and adjust power unit for the desired shade, type,
and depth of mark.
F. Place the marker over the stencil as follows:
(1) Ensure that typed marking information is covered.

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 (2) Ensure that wick pad does not extend beyond edges of
stencil.
(3) Apply firm, but not excessive, pressure on the marker
for the required dwell time.
G. Remove marker and stencil from the part. If the mark is
too light, turn power setting higher or increase dwell
time.
H. Clean marked part as follows:
CAUTION: USE CLEAN CLOTHS, PAPER TOWELS, ETC., FOR EACH
CLEANING STEP. CHANGE CLOTHS, ETC., FREQUENTLY
TO AVOID CONTAMINATION.
(1) Wipe the electrolyte from part with a clean cloth,
paper towel, etc.
(2) Apply appropriate cleaner to the part, concentrating
on marked area.
NOTE: Differing base metals and marking systems
require various cleaners.
(3) Wipe the part dry.
(4) Apply protective coating if specified.
I. Clean equipment after use as follows:
(1) Rinse marker wick pad in water to remove all
electrolyte.
(2) Rinse stencils in water and dab dry with clean, dry
cloth.
5. Quality Assurance.
A. Inspect mark for legibility.
B. Visually inspect all areas of the part near where the
marking was performed and where the part was grounded
(grounding clamp or sitting on a grounding plate) to make
sure there are no signs of electrical arcing. Evidence of
arcing shall cause the part to be placed on hold for
engineering disposition.

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