Etching FTO Coated Glass – FTO Coated Glass (CTE substrate dependent, 80 – 82% visible @ 7 ohm/sq); Etching to depth control +/-1 um. No minimum order; DFM review included with every RFQ.
We etch FTO Coated Glass daily, in thicknesses from 0.1 – 5 mm. The controlling numbers: depth control +/-1 um working tolerance, 10 um channel width (masked HF) minimum features, and isotropic smooth walls off the machine. Where the drawing asks for more, downstream lapping and polishing take over.
Specifications at a glance
| Material | FTO Coated Glass (TEC-7, TEC-15 equivalents) |
|---|---|
| Thermal expansion (CTE) | substrate dependent |
| Service temperature | 600 C (coating stable) |
| Transmission range | 80 – 82% visible @ 7 ohm/sq |
| Density | 2.23 – 2.50 g/cm3 |
| Knoop hardness | harder film than ITO |
| Refractive index | ~2.0 (FTO film) |
| Stock thickness | 1.1 – 3.2 mm substrates |
| Maximum blank size | 360 x 300 mm |
| Process | Etching |
| Working tolerance | depth control +/-1 um |
| Minimum feature | 10 um channel width (masked HF) |
| Surface finish | isotropic smooth walls |
| Thickness window | 0.1 – 5 mm |
| Edge condition | stress-relief etch available |
| RFQ inputs | PDF/DXF/STEP drawing, quantity brackets, surface and edge spec |
What the process holds
Etching earns its place through microchannels, cavities and frosted textures without mechanical stress. Its boundary condition – isotropic undercut roughly equals depth, so masks are compensated at layout time – is the first thing our DFM review checks.
Beyond this page, FTO Coated Glass routinely runs through coring, drilling, laser cutting, dicing in our shop – most real parts combine two or three of these steps.
Getting the drawing right
Three items decide most of the cost and lead time on this work:
- Material note: the harder FTO film abrades diamond tooling faster and edges need post-cut inspection for film lift.
- Process boundary: isotropic undercut roughly equals depth, so masks are compensated at layout time.
- Over-specification is the quiet budget killer: a 20/10 scratch-dig face costs roughly three times an 80/50 face, so grade each surface individually.
For the complete framework, see the tolerance design guide and the holes and edges design guide.
Who orders this
etching fto coated glass shows up across laser systems (windows, beam splitters, debris shields); mems devices (cap wafers, TGV substrates, motion-sensor lids); industrial displays (touch covers, gauge windows, printed bezels). Background reading on the underlying material science: ScienceDirect: FTO glass.
Dimensions still moving? Configure this part live in the 3D builder below, or open the full custom glass machining 3D builder to start from a blank canvas.
For adjacent specifications, see FTO conductive glass, custom FTO glass, glass wafer bonding.
Buyer questions, answered
What tolerances are achievable on FTO Coated Glass parts?
Ground features hold +/-0.01 mm and lapped thickness reaches +/-0.003 mm. The harder FTO film abrades diamond tooling faster and edges need post-cut inspection for film lift.
What thickness range do you stock for FTO Coated Glass?
Standard stock spans 1.1 – 3.2 mm substrates, with blanks up to 360 x 300 mm. Other formats are sourced per order.
How does FTO Coated Glass behave under heat?
CTE is substrate dependent and continuous service reaches 600 C (coating stable), which is what drives its use where thermal stability beyond ITO matters.
What accuracy does etching hold?
Depth control +/-1 um with minimum features of 10 um channel width (masked HF). Isotropic undercut roughly equals depth, so masks are compensated at layout time.
Specifications on this page were last reviewed by our engineering team in July 2026.