Electrical Discharge Surface Alloying of Ti and Fe Workpiece Materials Using Refractory Powder Compact Electrodes and Cu Wire

The paper reviews the use of metal powders dispersed in the dielectric fluid and refractory PM electrodes, to initiate workpiece surface modification during EDM. Experimental work details the effects of EDM parameters (up to 270 V) on the hardness/composition of the white layer following die sink machining of AISI H13 tool steel and roll texturing of 2% Cr steel using partially sintered PM electrodes. Similar data are presented following EDM scanning and wire cutting of standard TI alloy TI-6AI-4V and a y TIAI. With AISI H13, recast layers were 5-20 μm thick and up to ∼ 1350 HK_0.025. When machining TI-6AI-4V with WC/Co electrodes, recast microhardness was 600-2900 HK_0.025. Wire cutting y TIAI generated porous alloyed layers up to 115 μm thick with extensive cracks and no increase in bulk hardness.     

低盐溶液电火花-电解复合加工微小方孔试验

综合电火花加工快速蚀除材料与电解加工溶解重铸层的优势,提出了在低电导率的NaNO3溶液中使用电极逐层往复式铣削加工微小方孔的电火花-电解复合加工方法,并研究了电解液浓度、电压和电容参数对微小方孔加工质量的影响。结果表明:电解液浓度与加工电压对微小方孔加工质量影响较大,电容影响相对较小。选用最优加工参数在100μm厚的321不锈钢片上加工微小方孔,得到的方孔加工质量好、侧壁表面无重铸层,且工具电极相对损耗仅0.05%。     

电火花诱导烧蚀磨削修整复合加工方法研究

针对放电诱导烧蚀加工在高效加工的同时易在工件表面产生巨大烧蚀坑的问题,提出了电火花诱导烧蚀磨削修整复合加工方法。对钛合金TC4进行了电火花加工、烧蚀加工、诱导烧蚀磨削修整复合加工的对比实验,研究机械磨削作用对烧蚀性能的影响。在钛合金烧蚀加工实验过程中,用复合机械磨头进行修整能显著提高加工效率,达到1107 mm3/min,是同等条件下电火花加工的6.77倍、烧蚀加工的1.27倍。由于存在机械磨削修整作用,可在线去除烧蚀产物,露出基体材料,工件表面粗糙度优于烧蚀加工,甚至优于同等电参数下的电火花加工,达到了在获得高效加工的同时提升表面质量的目的。     

A comparative study of surface integrity of Ti–6Al–4V alloy machined by EDM and AECG

The electrical discharge machining (EDM) process produces the recast layer with or without cracks on the surface that requires a remedial post-treatment in the manufacture of critical or highly stressed surfaces. One of the frequently used post-treatment processes is also the abrasive electrochemical grinding (AECG) and it has been widely used in the precision machining of difficult-to-cut materials due to an enhanced surface integrity and productivity. The aim of this study is to investigate improvability of surface integrity in terms of machining voltage, electrolyte flow rate and table feed rate parameters of AECG in EDMed Ti6Al4V alloy. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrograph (EDS) and surface roughness measurement were performed to study the surface characteristics of the machined samples. Experimental results indicate that the AECG process effectively improves the surface roughness and eliminates the EDM damages completely by setting suitable grinding parameters.     

Machining performance on hybrid process of abrasive jet machining and electrical discharge machining

To develop a hybrid process of abrasive jet machining (AJM) and electrical discharge machining (EDM),the effects of the hybrid process parameters on machining performance were comprehensively investigated to confirm the benefits of this hybrid process.The appropriate abrasives delivered by high speed gas media were incorporated with an EDM in gas system to construct the hybrid process of AJM and EDM,and then the high speed abrasives could impinge on the machined surface to remove the recast layer caused by EDM process to increase the efficiency of material removal and reduce the surface roughness.In this study,the benefits of the hybrid process were determined as the machining performance of hybrid process was compared with that of the EDM in gas system.The main process parameters were varied to explore their effects on material removal rate,surface roughness and surface integrities.The experimental results show that the hybrid process of AJM and EDM can enhance the machining efficiency and improve the surface quality.Consequently,the developed hybrid process can fit the requirements of modern manufacturing applications.     

超声振动磨削放电复合加工SiCp／Al试验研究

针对SiCp／Al的加工,提出一种超声振动磨削放电复合加工的方法．从加工效率、加工稳定性及表面质量等方面与电火花加工进行了对比试验研究。分析了两种加工方法的脉冲宽度和峰值电流对加工速度和表面粗糙度的影响,结果表明：电火花加工的表面粗糙度平均值为尺04．5μm,超声振动磨削放电复合加工的表面粗糙度平均值为Ra2μm：超声振动磨削放电复合加工的稳定性比电火花加工好,但加工速度较低。通过扫描电镜对两种加工方法下零件表面形貌和重熔层进行了观测,对试件表面进行了X射线衍射分析,表明采用超声振动磨削放电复合加工SiCp／Al复合材料可获得较好的表面质量。     

A numerical model of the EDM process considering the effect of multiple discharges

The electrical discharge machining (EDM) process is, by far, the most popular amongst the non-conventional machining processes. The technology is optimum for accurate machining of complex geometries in hard materials, as those required in the tooling industry. However, although a large number of EDM machines are sold every year, scientific knowledge of the process is still limited. The complex nature of the process involves simultaneous interaction of thermal, mechanical, chemical and electrical phenomena, which makes process modelling very difficult. In this paper a new contribution to the simulation and modelling of the EDM process is presented. Temperature fields within the workpiece generated by the superposition of multiple discharges, as it happens during an actual EDM operation, are numerically calculated using a finite difference schema. The characteristics of the discharge for a given operation, namely energy transferred onto the workpiece, diameter of the discharge channel and material removal efficiency can be estimated using inverse identification from the results of the numerical model. The model has been validated through industrial EDM tests, showing that it can efficiently predict material removal rate and surface roughness with errors below 6%.     

EDM performance of Cr/Cu-based composite electrodes

Electrode materials for electrical discharge machining (EDM) are usually graphite, copper and copper alloys because these materials have high melting temperature, and excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. The electrodes made by using powder metallurgy technology from special powders have been used to modify EDM surfaces in recent years, to improve wear and corrosion resistance. However, electrodes are normally fabricated at high temperatures and pressures, such that fabrication is expensive. This paper proposes a new method of blending the copper powders contained resin with chromium powders to form tool electrodes. Such electrodes are made at low pressure (20 MPa) and temperature (200 °C) in a hot mounting machine. The results showed that using such electrodes facilitated the formation of a modified surface layer on the work piece after EDM, with remarkable corrosion resistant properties. The optimal mixing ratio, appropriate pressure, and proper machining parameters (such as polarity, peak current, and pulse duration) were used to investigate the effect of the material removal rate (MRR), electrode wear rate (EWR), surface roughness, and thickness of the recast layer on the usability of these electrodes. According to the experimental results, a mixing ratio of Cu–0wt%Cr and a sinter pressure of 20 MPa obtained an excellent MRR. Moreover, this work also reveals that the composite electrodes obtained a higher MRR than Cu metal electrodes; the recast layer was thinner and fewer cracks were present on the machined surface. Furthermore, the Cr elements in the composite electrode migrated to the work piece, resulting in good corrosion resistance of the machined surface after EDM.     

Performance and Surface Integrity of Ti6Al4V After Sinking EDM with Special Graphite Electrodes

Titanium and its alloys have high chemical reactivity with most of the cutting tools. This makes it difficult to work with these alloys using conventional machining processes. Electrical discharge machining (EDM) emerges as an alternative technique to machining these materials. In this work, it is investigated the performance of three special grades of graphite as electrodes when ED-Machining Ti6Al4V samples under three different regimes. The main influences of electrical parameters are discussed for the samples material removal rate, volumetric relative wear and surface roughness. The samples surfaces were evaluated using SEM images, microhardness measurements, and x-ray diffraction. It was found that the best results for samples material removal rate, surface roughness, and volumetric relative wear were obtained for the graphite electrode with 10-μm particle size and negative polarity. For all samples machined by EDM and characterized by x-ray (XRD), it was identified the presence of titanium carbides. For the finish EDM regimes, the recast layer presents an increased amount of titanium carbides compared to semi-finish and rough regimes.     

小孔内表面磁力研磨加工技术研究进展

磁力研磨加工是提高小孔内表面质量的一种重要光整技术,利用该技术能高效提升小孔类零部件在极端环境下的使役性能。针对小孔内表面的磁力研磨光整加工,按其发展历程对磁力研磨加工技术进行总结,归纳了磁性磨粒研磨、磁针磁力研磨、液体磁性磨具研磨、超声辅助磁力研磨和电解磁力复合研磨等加工方法的技术特点,并分析评述了其局限性。对磁力研磨加工过程中材料去除机理进行了研究,材料主要以微量切削与挤压、塑性变形磨损、腐蚀磨损、电化学磨损等方式去除,材料种类不同,去除机理也不同。其中,硬脆性材料主要以脆性断裂、塑性变形和粉末化的形式去除;塑性材料在经历滑擦阶段、耕犁阶段和材料去除阶段后主要以切屑的形式去除。此外,还对磁力研磨加工过程中的材料去除模型进行了研究,对单颗磁性磨粒材料去除模型和“磁力刷”材料去除模型进行了分析讨论。最后,对磁力研磨加工技术今后的研究发展给出了建议并进行了展望。     

Studies on electric-discharge machining of non-contact seal face grooves

In this paper, the electric-discharge machining (EDM) of non-contact seal grooves was studied. Two types of material, namely: tungsten carbide and silicon carbide were tested by EDM due to their hard machining behaviors. The geometry of seal grooves is another reason why grinding or other precision machining processes cannot be applied. Four parameters of EDM processes were studied, namely: electrode material, pulse duration, discharge current, and polarity. According to experimental results, the optimal process parameters were obtained based on the specimen’s qualities, such as surface roughness and depth of cut. An industrial example was also studied in the final stage of the proposed paper.     

微细电火花加工及表面重铸层电解去除装置的设计

微细电火花加工工件表面的重铸层影响加工精度和使用性能,为此设计了具有微细电火花加工及电解去除表面重铸层功能的集成装置。该装置由运动平台、伺服控制、脉冲电源等关键部分组成,集成了微细电火花和微细电解加工功能。针对不同加工方法采用不同的控制策略,解决了微细电火花加工与电解加工在同一设备上的集成问题。通过实验验证,该装置可以很好地实现微细电火花加工表面重铸层的在线去除,且去除厚度可通过改变加工参数的形式来控制。     

Surface integrity and material removal mechanisms associated with the EDM of Al2O3 ceramic composite

Electric discharge machining (EDM) has been proven as an alternate process for machining complex and intricate shapes from the conductive ceramic composites. The performance and reliability of electrical discharge machined ceramic composite components are influenced by strength degradation due to EDM-induced damage. The success of electric discharge machined components in real applications relies on the understanding of material removal mechanisms and the relationship between the EDM parameters and formation of surface and subsurface damages. This paper presents a detailed investigation of machining characteristics, surface integrity and material removal mechanisms of advanced ceramic composite Al₂O₃–SiC_w–TiC with EDM. The surface and subsurface damages have also been assessed and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results provide valuable insight into the dependence of damage and the mechanisms of material removal on EDM conditions.     

High performance hybrid machining of γ-TiAl with blasting erosion arc machining and grinding

The excellent high temperature performance of gamma titanium aluminium (γ-TiAl) intermetallic not only makes itself a promising aero-engine material to replace Ni-based supperalloys but also poses machining challenges. A novel hybrid machining process namely blasting erosion arc grinding (BEAG) is proposed to process γ-TiAl. In this process, a creatively designed tool is implemented to perform high efficiency blasting erosion arc machining (BEAM) with an electrode and further polish the arc machined surface with the grinding part simultaneously. The experimental results illustrate that compared to BEAM and grinding, BEAG obtains a considerable material removal rate with a good surface quality.     

3D surface characterisation of electropolished EDMed surface and quantitative assessment of process variables using Taguchi Methodology

The electro discharge machining (EDM) process produces surfaces that require some form of finishing operation. This is done in order to improve the surface texture and appearance of the component’s surface. However, it is also desirable to remove the white uppermost recast layer (produced by the EDM process) so as to improve the functional performance of the surface. Electropolishing or electrochemical polishing (ECP) is one technique that is used mainly to improve the appearance of steels as well as for passivation of stainless steels. However, this process is very complex in nature, and it is not well understood how the different process parameters influence the surface integrity of the component in salt solutions. The aim of this paper is to present the results of a preliminary design of experiment of an EDM+ECP process sequence using Taguchi methodology. 3D characterisation of the surfaces has been done and ANOVA technique has been used to assess the quantitative influence of the different process factors of ECP. The results have shown that the direct current is the most dominant factor in modifying the surface texture, especially the S_q and S_m 3D parameters. The interaction effect between current and distance between electrodes is relatively important as compared to the individual effect of the latter variable.     

聚晶金刚石表面加工质量对比试验研究

为解决聚晶金刚石(PCD)表面加工成型和抛光难题,提高PCD加工效率和表面加工质量,采用电火花粗、精放电加工工艺及金刚石砂轮磨削加工工艺对PCD表面进行加工,并采用SEM、EDS、XRD和Raman等观察分析不同加工方式下PCD的表面形貌、表层组织及结构,对不同加工方式下PCD的显微硬度和耐磨性进行测试,考察不同加工方式对PCD表层微结构与力学性能的影响。结果表明:电火花加工后PCD表面会发生金刚石石墨化,而机械磨削加工后则不会;电火花精加工后PCD的显微硬度和耐磨性分别是5 613 HV 10和Q 5.8×104,机械磨削加工后则分别是5 727 HV 10和Q 5.4×104,二者相比变化不大,而电火花粗加工后的则是4 604 HV 10和Q 4.7×104,性能降低明显。同时提出放电加工后PCD表面变质层的概念,并讨论其变质层产生的原因。      

Layer Generation Process on Work-piece in Electrical Discharge Machining

In recant years, surface modification of metals and machining of insulating ceramics by electrical discharge machining (EDM) have been successfully carried out. In surface modification by EDM with semi-sintered electrodes, worn substances in the gap region form the material source of the layer generated on the work-piece surface. In the machining of insulating ceramics by EDM, a crystallized carbon layer or carbide layer from the working oil covers the surface of the insulator. Increase in the thickness of the generated layer, however, tends to stop at a certain maximum value in both surface modification by EDM with semi-sintered electrodes and machining of insulating ceramics by EDM processes. In these machining operations, accretion and removal phenomena occur alternately. In this paper, the mechanisms of machining insulators and the accretion process are discussed considering the characteristics of the generated layers on the work-piece surface.     

TEM study on the electrical discharge machined surface of single-crystal silicon

EDM is a useful process for machining high-aspect ratio features with good accuracy in electrically conductive materials irrespective of their mechanical properties. With the ability of micro-EDM to compete with the resolution of conventional semi-conductor processing techniques, the process has attracted interest for the potential machining of single-crystal silicon. In order for the process to be feasible, the damage mechanism occurring during machining must be characterised to assess the need for secondary processing. Despite this the microstructural transformations induced by the process on the surface of the workpiece have not yet been assessed. In this study transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and laser-Raman spectroscopy are employed to characterise the microstructural changes as well as the presence of any contaminants and defects at the nano-scale. A twinned-crystalline structure created by epitaxial growth is formed in the recast layer. Some amorphous phase is also present. Findings indicate sub-surface pores between 10 nm and 200 nm diameter formed by gas expansion are observed. If the formation of such pores can be generalised for EDM processing of other materials, this phenomenon may contribute to the reduced mechanical integrity of such machined surfaces. Significant tool electrode material deposition with crystals of down to 3 nm diameter also occurred in the workpiece surface. The nano-scale of embedded material may have implications for the progress of electrical discharge machining as a coating process and the properties of such coatings.     

Application of micro-EDM combined with high-frequency dither grinding to micro-hole machining

This research presents a novel process using micro electro-discharge machining (micro-EDM) combined with high-frequency dither grinding (HFDG) to improve the surface roughness of micro-holes. Micro-EDM is a well-established machining option for manufacturing geometrically complex small parts (diameter under 100 μm) of hard or super-tough materials. However, micro-EDM causes the recast layer formed on the machined surface to become covered with discharge craters and micro-cracks, resulting in poor surface quality. This affects the diameter of the micro-hole machined and undermines seriously the precision of the geometric shape. The proposed method that combines micro-EDM process with HFDG is applied to machining high-nickel alloy. As observed in SEM photographs and surface roughness measurement, HFDG method can reduce surface roughness from 2.12 to 0.85 μm Rmax with micro-cracks eliminated. Our results demonstrated that micro-holes fabricated by micro-EDM at peak current 500 mA followed by HFDG at 40 V can achieve precise shape and good surface quality after 6–8 min of lapping.     

Probability of precision micro-machining of insulating Si3N4 ceramics by EDM

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is used as a precision machining method for the electrically conductive hard materials with a soft electrode material. But recently we succeeded to machine on insulating material by EDM. The technology is named as an assisting electrode method. The EDMed surface is covered with the electrical conductive layer during discharge. The layer holds the electrical conductivity during discharge. For micro-EDM, the wear of tool electrode becomes lager ratio than the normal machining. So the micro-machining is extremely difficult to get the precision sample.

In this paper to obtain a fine and precise ceramics sample, some trials were carried out considering the EDM conditions, tool electrodes material and assisting electrode materials. Insulating Si₃N₄ ceramics were used for workpiece. The machining properties were estimated by the removal rate and tool wear ratio. To confirm the change of micro-machining process, the discharge waveforms were observed. The micro-machining of the Ø0.05 mm hole could be machined with the commercial sinking electrical discharge machine.