PRINTED CIRCUIT HEAT EXCHANGERS
Metching etches flow channels into metal plates for printed circuit heat exchangers (PCHEs). Our maximum heat exchanger plate size is 690 × 1400 mm. Channel width, depth, spacing and the remaining metal beneath each channel are reviewed together against the material and drawing.
The etched plates are one part of the finished exchanger. Plate alignment, bonding surfaces and the joining process must be considered alongside the channel design. Working pressure, temperature and thermal performance need to be validated for the assembled exchanger.
What is a Printed Circuit Heat Exchanger?
A PCHE is not your traditional "shell and tube" or "plate and frame" heat exchanger. Instead of using bulky pipes or gaskets, it utilizes a sophisticated combination of chemical etching and diffusion bonding.
The process is elegant in its complexity:
-
Chemical Etching: Complex flow channels are "printed" or etched into metal plates with microscopic precision.
-
Diffusion Bonding: These plates are stacked and subjected to high heat and pressure. The metals join at an atomic level, turning the stack into a single, solid block of metal.
A compact channel layout can provide substantial heat-transfer area in a small volume. The size, weight and performance of a PCHE depend on its channel design, materials, operating conditions and verified assembly process.
Etched Flow Plate Capabilities
Metching was founded in 2005 and has 20+ years of experience in etched metal components. For flow plates, tolerances are assessed against material thickness, drawings and processing requirements. No single fixed tolerance applies to every channel design.
Size, Thickness and Production
-
Heat Exchanger Plate Size: We supply etched flow plates up to 690 × 1400 mm, subject to drawing and processing review.
-
Versatility: We process material thicknesses from 0.05–2.5 mm, subject to project requirements.
-
Prototype to Production: Prototype quantities, inspection requirements and production lead times are agreed after reviewing the plate drawing and material.
Material Excellence
Different environments require different metals. While 316-grade stainless steel is the industry standard for its durability and heat resistance, Metching’s chemical etching process is compatible with a vast array of materials.
For specialized applications, we work with:
-
Aerospace-grade Aluminum: For when weight is the primary concern.
-
Corrosion-Resistant Alloys: For harsh maritime or chemical environments.
-
High-Nickel Alloys: For extreme temperature scenarios.
A Seamless, One-Stop Solution
Building a PCHE requires a bridge between two worlds: chemical etching and diffusion bonding. Metching has spent decades building that bridge.
Before etching, confirm the bonding surfaces, plate registration features, channel depth and remaining wall thickness with the team responsible for joining the plates. Inspection and cleanliness requirements should be agreed before production; the finished exchanger must be qualified for its intended service.
The Metching Advantage at a Glance
-
Precision Etching: Perfect channel geometry for maximum heat transfer.
-
High Volume Capacity: Reliable supply chains for large-scale industrial projects.
-
Large Plate Format: Ability to create larger, more powerful heat exchanger blocks.
-
Industry Expertise: Founded in 2005, with 20+ years of manufacturing experience.
Summary
For a flow-plate quotation, send the plate drawing, material grade, thickness, quantity, channel layout and target etch depth. Include tolerances for the channels and registration features, flatness and inspection requirements. The maximum plate size is 690 × 1400 mm, subject to drawing and processing review.