New method of manufacturing micro parts using Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

A new method of processing and manufacturing certain parts of instruments through biological approach is studied. Knowledge of feasibility of micro-manufacturing is obtained by comparing experimental results of etching surfaces of copper, aluminium alloy, brass, steel and stainless steel using strain of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans (T.f.). Our experimental results show that certain metals can be etched using T.f., the most feasible material is copper, followed by brass, etc., with stainless steel the least. The surface of the stainless steel material is nearly unchanged during surface-etching. Micro parts made of copper or brass can be satisfactorily processed with T.f. and the rate of processing on copper is about 14 μm/h. Furthermore, surface roughness and processing speed are controlled by pH value and temperature of etching liquid, in addition to swing rate of the the swing bed. Copyright Protection.