Alkaline etching is a process of using an alkaline solution to selectively dissolve or remove the surface of a material, such as metal or glass, to create a desired pattern or texture. The etching process can be used for surface preparation, surface cleaning, and surface modification. Alkaline etching is commonly used in the manufacturing of electronic devices, such as printed circuit boards and semiconductors, as well as in the production of architectural glass and automotive glass. The process can be performed using either a wet or dry method.