Influence of various metal powder mixed dielectric on micro-EDM characteristics of Ti-6Al-4V

Ti-6Al-4V, an advanced engineering material is difficult-to-machine using conventional machining process due to its high strength. It has properties like low weight ratio, outstanding corrosion resistance along with high level of reliable performance in micro components. Micro-electro-discharge machining (Micro-EDM), a popular nontraditional machining process has been identified as the most appropriate machining process for such material. In this paper, the effect of various conducting powders such as copper, nickel and cobalt with different concentrations are mixed with deionized water dielectric, on various responses such as material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), overcut (OC) and taper has been presented. Also, principal component analysis (PCA) has been applied to select the optimal parametric combination of micro-EDM process to achieve optimal values of MRR, TWR, OC and taper during micro-through hole machining. The optimal process parametric setting obtained from the proposed approach is peak current (I_p) of 1.5 A and cobalt (Co) powder concentration of 4 g/L so as to obtain the desired responses. It is also observed from the SEM image that the machined profile and surface topography obtained through the multi-objective optimal parametric combination based on PCA is quite satisfactory and can be applied to achieve geometrically more accurate micro-through holes on Ti-6Al-4V.     

Powder Mixed Dielectric: An Approach for Improved Process Performance in EDM

The present study reports the outcome of experiments conducted to investigate the effect of parameters on improvement in the material removal rate (MRR), reduction in the tool wear rate (TWR), and overcut size for commonly used die steels. To overcome some of the shortcomings of electric discharge machining (EDM), an approach of powder mixing in dielectric fluids is adopted to investigate the influence of process parameters. The addition of powders in dielectric improves MRR and lowers TWR significantly. Powder concentration, current, and pulse-on time are three significant factors affecting MRR, TWR, and overcut size. An increase in powder concentration improves the process performance, but is limited by the possibility of arcing at higher concentration. Use of the powder resulted in increased effective spark length causing larger overcut. The problem is acute in trials conducted at high pulse-on duration with high powder concentration that leads to a ragged surface at cut edges. Furthermore, electrode tools with smaller tip included angle resulted in larger profile deviation at the machined surface as compared to trials conducted using tools with higher included angle. Surface morphological changes, grain size, microstrain, and material migration were investigated using SEM, XRD, and EDS analysis and a significant improvement in properties of the machined surface was observed.     

Effect of Powder Mixed Dielectric on Material Removal and Surface Modification in Microelectric Discharge Machining of Ti-6Al-4V

Microelectric discharge milling is one of the variants of microelectric discharge machining process which acquire the attention of researchers due to its unique ability to produce microchannels and three-dimensional structures in difficult-to-machine materials like titanium. In the present work, an experimental investigation has been performed in order to study the effect of SiC microparticle suspended dielectric on machining Ti-6Al-4V with tungsten carbide electrode. The effects of major electric discharge milling process parameters—voltage, capacitance, and powder concentration in dielectric—on responses—viz., material removal rate (MRR) and tool wear rate (TWR)—were studied. Experiments were designed and performed based on response surface methodology (RSM)-Box–Behnken statistical design and the significance of in put parameters were identified with the help of analysis of variance. From the results, it is recommended to use powder concentration of 5 g/L, capacitance of 0.1 µF, and voltage of 115 V for achieving high material removal and low tool wear rate. Finally, the studies were conducted to analyze the surface modification and the quality of machined surface.     

Effect of deep cryotreated tungsten carbide electrode and SiC powder on EDM performance of AISI 304

Abstract

Powder mixed electric discharge machining (PMEDM) is a further advancement of conventional EDM process in which electrically conductive powder is suspended in the dielectric fluid to enhance the material removal rate (MRR) along with the surface quality. Cryotreatment is introduced in this process for improving the cutting tool properties as well as tool life. In this investigation, EDM is performed for the machining of AISI 304 stainless steel using cryotreated double tempered tungsten carbide electrode when SiC powder is suspended in the kerosene dielectric. The influence of process parameters viz. pulse on time, peak current, duty cycle, gap voltage and powder concentration on tool wear rate (TWR), surface roughness (R_a), and MRR has been studied. Metallographic analysis was carried out for the machined surfaces. By the addition of powder concentration and cryotreated double tempered electrode, significant improvement in the machining efficiency has been found out. When cryotreated electrode used MRR, TWR and R_a decreased by 12%, 24% and 13.3%, respectively and when SiC powder used MRR increased by 23.2%, TWR and R_a decreased by about 25% and 14.2%, respectively.     

Performance of Additive Mixed Kerosene–Servotherm in Electrical Discharge Machining of Monel 400™

In general, kerosene and commercial grade EDM oils are conventional dielectric fluids in electrical discharge machining (EDM), despite their poor performance measures being major drawbacks. The aim of this study was to develop a dielectric fluid offering good performance measures in the EDM process, by determining the appropriate proportion of kerosene–servotherm and analyzing its performance with and without the additive concentration in EDM of monel 400?. Sixteen samples of kerosene–servotherm of varying proportions were used in this study. The optimum proportion of kerosene–servotherm was found to be 75:25, which resulted in the highest material removal rate (MRR) as compared with tool wear rate (TWR), and surface finish was found to be poorer than when using kerosene alone. In addition, 1 l of kerosene–servotherm concentrated with 6 g of graphite powder (one micron) exhibited substantial improvement in MRR, surface finish, and TWR compared with conventional dielectric fluids. Therefore kerosene–servotherm (75:25) concentrated with 6 g/l of graphite powder can be accepted as a potential dielectric fluid offering high MRR along with enhanced surface finish in EDM.     

Effects of electrode materials on performance measures of electrical discharge micro-machining

The main objective of this study is to investigate the effects of various electrode materials and their influences on electrical discharge micro-machining performance attributes. The performance attributes are determined in terms of tool wear rate (TWR), material removal rate (MRR), taper angle, overcut, and surface roughness by drilling micro-holes on SS 316?L material. It is noticed that, for high discharge energy the MRR, TWR, taper angle, and overcut are more and also when the thermal conductivity, boiling point, and melting point of the electrode material are high, the TWR is low. The surface finish is good at low discharge energy and low spindle speed. If the tool electrode is rotating at minimum speed during machining, a centrifugal effect is created on the dielectric so that debris at the inter-electrode gap is evacuated efficiently. If the tool is stationary, then the machining conditions are unstable due to improper flushing of debris.     

On effect of tool rotation on performance of rotary tool micro-ultrasonic machining

The present research paper is based on a comparative study of stationary tool micro-ultrasonic machining (STMUSM) and rotary tool micro-ultrasonic machining (RTMUSM). Microchannels were developed on glass work material by using both processes. The effect of tool rotation on the performance of micro-USM was investigated. The performance of both processes was compared on the basis of material removal rate (MRR) and depth of channel (DOC) as response characteristics. The power rating, work feed rate, concentration of abrasive slurry, and abrasive mesh size were chosen as variable input process parameters in this investigation. The form accuracy of the fabricated microchannels was analyzed with the help of imaging technique. Also, a qualitative analysis of tool wear was carried out with the help of microscopic images. The experimental results revealed that the tool rotation significantly improved the performance of micro-USM. The RTMUSM resulted in 155% and 147% higher MRR and DOC as compared to STMUSM. The tool wear was also found to be lesser in RTMUSM as compared to STMUSM and as a result of that form accuracy of machined microchannels improved.     

Characterization of Properties of Cryogenically Treated Al-SiC Composites Fabricated by Powder Metallurgy

The basis of this research was an exploration of the fundamental phenomena that determine the response of silicon carbide-reinforced aluminium composite material to thermal cycling between cryogenic and ambient temperatures. This analysis began with a phenomenological approach that investigated the role of the production, processing, and machining of composite materials, and led to study of their mechanical behavior at cryogenic temperatures. Electric discharge machining was done on the composite specimens and mathematical models were developed for predicting the machining parameters such as metal removal rate, tool wear rate, and surface roughness. A five-level factorial design was chosen for experimentation and mathematical models were developed using the software DOE-PC IV. An analysis of variance technique was used to calculate the regression coefficients and to check the significance of the models developed. This approach provided an understanding of how temperature and vol.% of SiC influence composite machining behavior. The hardness, wear resistance, and tensile property are high for cryo-treated specimens and these properties reduce with increase in temperature. The properties also increase with increasing % of SiC reinforcements. The microstructures of the wear specimens show worn-out layers and grooves formed in the debris. The cryo-treated and the higher reinforced specimens exhibit less material removal and tool wear rate and this increases with increase in temperature. There is a relatively higher surface roughness when there is greater material removal.     

Effect of Electrode Size on the Performances of Micro-EDM

Understanding the effect of processing parameters on the tool electrode wear during micro-electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM) is helpful to predict and compensate the electrode wear, so as to improve the machining precision. In this paper, experiments are carried out and the influences of tool electrode diameter on the micro-EDM process are discussed based on the skin effect and area effect. It is demonstrated that the machining speed, tool wear, and taper rate are different with the increase of tool electrode diameter. Due to the skin effect and area effect, larger electrode diameter results in higher material removal rate along with higher tool wear rate. The electrode material removal increment is more than the workpiece material removal increment with the increase of tool electrode diameter, which leads to the increase of relative tool wear ratio. Discharge energy is concentrated on the tool surface which enhances the possibility of discharge on the side face and the corner of the tool electrode during the micro-EDM, especially when drilling with a larger tool electrode. As a result, a tool electrode with larger diameter results in a higher taper rate.     

Application of new tool material for electrical discharge machining (EDM)

In EDM, Cu and graphite are commonly used as tool materials. The poor wear resistance is the drawback of these tools. In the current study, an attempt has been made to develop a ZrB₂-Cu composite as an EDM tool material to overcome this problem. Initially, the ZrB₂ powder is prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) technique and synthesized powder is mixed with different amounts of Cu powder. Dense composite is developed by a pressureless sintering at 1250°C. The composites are tested as tool material at different EDM process parameters during machining of mild steel. The ZrB₂-40 wt% Cu composite shows highest metal removal rate (MRR) with significant tool removal rate (TRR) than other composites. The performance of ZrB₂-40 wt% Cu composite is compared to conventional Cu tool. The composite shows higher MRR with less TRR than Cu tool but it shows more average surface roughness and diameteral overcut than Cu tool.     

Effect of Tool Rotation on MRR,TWR, and Surface Integrity of AISI-D3 Steel using the Rotary EDM Process

Electric discharge machining (EDM) is an acclaimed non-conventional machining process that is used for machining of hard or geometrically complex and electrically conductive materials which are extremely difficult to machine by conventional methods. One of the foremost demerits of this process is its very low material removal rate (MRR). For this, researchers have proposed some modifications like; providing rotational motion to the tool or workpiece, mixing of conducting fine powders (such as SiC, Cr, Al, graphite etc.) in the dielectric, providing vibrations to either the tool or the workpiece etc.

The present research examines how the MRR and tool wear rates (TWR) vary with the variation in the tool rotation speed and their effects on the surface integrity of the workpiece. The results obtained clearly indicate that the tool rotation significantly improves the average MRR up to 49%. Moreover, the average surface finish also gets improved by around 9–10% while using the rotational tool EDM. Due to the tool rotation, the recast layer thickness is less for the rotary EDM as compared with the stationary tool EDM process. Furthermore, the micro-cracking on the recast surface of the workpiece is also less for the rotary tool EDM as compared with the stationary tool EDM.     

Multiple Performance Optimization of Machining Parameters on the Machining of GFRP Composites Using Carbide (K10) Tool

The present investigation focuses on the multiple performance machining characteristics of GFRP composites produced through filament winding. Grey relational analysis was used for the optimization of the machining parameters on machining GFRP composites using carbide (K10) tool. According to the Taguchi quality concept, a L27, 3-level orthogonal array was chosen for the experiments. The machining parameters namely work piece fiber orientation, cutting speed, feed rate, depth of cut and machining time have been optimized based on the multiple performance characteristics including material removal rate, tool wear, surface roughness and specific cutting pressure. Experimental results have shown that machining performance in the composite machining process can be improved effectively by using this approach.     

Al_2O_3颗粒镀铜对铜基粉末冶金摩擦材料Al_2O_3-Fe-Sn-C/Cu摩擦磨损性能的影响

通过对陶瓷摩擦组元的表面进行化学镀铜来改善铜基粉末冶金摩擦材料中陶瓷相与基体间的结合效果,从而提高材料摩擦磨损性能。分别采用镀铜Al2O3颗粒和未镀铜Al2O3颗粒与铜粉和铁粉等经混合、压制、加压烧结制备Al2O3-Fe-Sn-C/Cu摩擦磨损试样。测试并分析了摩擦材料的微观结构、力学性能及摩擦磨损性能。结果表明:摩擦组元镀铜可使硬质颗粒与铜基体结合紧密;摩擦材料的布氏硬度增加了12%,弹性模量提高了约7%,摩擦系数提高了5%~10%,线磨损量降低了20%~50%;表面镀铜后的Al2O3颗粒不易脱落,摩擦系数稳定性提高了13%~23%。研究结果表明,摩擦组元表面镀铜可提高材料的综合性能。     

Experimental investigations in powder mixed electric discharge machining of Ti–35Nb–7Ta–5Zrβ-titanium alloy

The present research is the first type of study in which the application of powder mixed electrical discharge machining (PMEDM) for the machining of β-phase titanium (β-Ti) alloy has been proposed. β-Ti alloys are new range of titanium alloys, which has a wide-spread application in dental, orthopedics, shape memory, and stents. The aim of the present study is to fabricate submicro- and nanoscale topography by PMEDM process to enhance the biocompatibility without affecting machining efficiency. The effect of Si powder concentration along with pulse current and duration on the surface and machining characteristics has been investigated. A significant decrease in surface crack density on the machined surface with 4 g/l Si powder concentration was observed. When β-Ti alloy was modified at 15 A pulse current, longer pulse interval with 8 g/l concentration of Si powder particles, the interconnected surface porosities with pore size 200–500 nm was observed. Moreover, at Si powder concentrations of 2 g/l and 4 g/l, the recast layer thickness is 8 µm and 2–3 µm, respectively. Elemental mapping analysis confirmed that PMEDM also generated carbides and oxides enriched surface, a favorable surface chemistry to enhance the biocompatibility of β-Ti alloy. Furthermore, PMEDM also enhances the machining performance by improving material removal rate and reducing tool wear rate.     

Investigation on tool wear process of milling wave-transmitting Si3N4 ceramics

Due to the low fracture toughness of wave-transmitting Si₃N₄ ceramics, the special material removal mechanism causes the tool wear to be different. The paper presents the tool wear forms and mechanism under different milling depth. The effect of tool wear on cutting force and machined surface morphology is discussed. Tests have been performed under typical conditions of cutting depth of 0.3 mm (in plastic-domain processing) and 0.4 mm (in brittle-domain processing). The results show that the abrasive wear caused by the chips is the main mechanism of the cutting edge wear and the flank wear, the increase of the side edge rear angle with tool wear is the main cause of the chipping phenomenon. The cutting depth is a significant influence parameter to the wear characteristics, and two types have been distinguished. As the material removal volume ascending, the cutting edge wear and the flank face wear has a stable period, and the root-mean-square deviation of processing surface increases to 1.6 μm, while that increase with the material removal volume continuously, and the processing surface decreases to 1.4 μm. It has been proved that the cutting force tends to increase first and then decrease as the material removal volume is about 4320 mm³.     

Parametric Evaluation on Near-Dry Electric Discharge Machining

Near-dry electric discharge machining (EDM) is an eco-friendly process. It does not produce toxic fumes and consequent health hazards. The near-dry EDM generally utilizes a mixture of two phase (liquid and air) dielectric for machining. This investigation reports the influence of four processing parameters, viz. current, flushing pressure, duty factor, and lift on three responses. The responses measured were material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), and surface roughness (SR). The work material chosen was high speed steel (HSS). Mathematical models have been proposed herein for evaluation of the effect of processing parameters in near-dry EDM. These models were developed using response surface methodology (RSM). The experimental results reveal that the process parameters taken into consideration were significant for MRR. The TWR was negligible in near-dry EDM. This process gives a finer surface finish with thinner recast layer even at higher discharge energies as compared to conventional EDM.     

Electrical Discharge Machining of Functionally Graded 15-35 Vol% SiCp/Al Composites

A functionally Graded 15-35 volume% silicon carbide particulate (SiC_p) reinforced Al359 metal matrix composite (SiC_p/Al MMC) was drilled by electrical discharge machining (EDM) to assess the machinability and workpiece quality. The machining conditions were identified for both the machining performance and workpiece quality of the EDM process, including some aspects of material removal mechanisms, material removal rate (MRR), electrode tool wear, and subsequent drilled hole quality including surface texture and roundness by using surface profilometry, coordinate measuring machine (CMM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was observed that the material removal rate increases with increasing peak current and pulse-on-time up to the optimal points and drops drastically thereafter. Higher peak current and/or pulse-on-time result in both the greater tool wear and the larger average diameter error. As the percentage of the SiC particles increases, MRR was increased and electrode wear was found to be decreased. At the EDM machined subsurface layer, the fragmented and melted SiC particles were observed under the SEM and EDX-ray examination.     

Impact of induction hardened workpiece hardness on EDM performance

The objective of this research work is to correlate the impact of thermally induced workpiece hardness with electric discharge machining (EDM) performances and establishment of the modified property responsible for the deviation in change in behavior of output responses in sinking electrical discharge machining process. The response surface methodology with central composite design approach was applied with four controllable input parameters such as pulse-on-time (T_on), pulse-off time (T_off), peak current (I_P), and gap voltage (V) for experimental comparative study. In this current analysis, material removal rate, tool wear rate, and energy density were chosen as the desired response variables. It was observed that change in hardness through induction thermal hardening process of the base alloy had a predominant effect on the change in output responses such as material removal rate, tool wear rate, and energy density with strong confirmation. The modified electrical property associated with enhanced workpiece hardness was primarily responsible for alteration in EDM process behaviors. This preliminary assessment for the deviation in the performance of the EDM process with respect to change in hardness will be quite useful for the control settings in the job shop production planning for processing and modifying properties of induction hardened alloy steels.     

CPR/NR和高性能填料对复合摩擦材料力学性能的影响

通过干法热压成型工艺制备性能优异的复合摩擦材料,研究了高性能填料以及改性酚醛树脂与丁腈橡胶质量比(CPR/NR)对复合摩擦材料性能的影响规律。对材料的摩擦磨损性能与力学性能进行了测试,借助热分析仪测试其耐热性能,并利用激光共聚焦显微镜、扫描电镜对表面形貌进行了观察和分析。结果表明,复合摩擦材料的密度、压缩强度、压缩模量、硬度随橡胶含量的减少而增加,冲击强度则呈相反的趋势。橡胶含量的减少,树脂比例的增加,使复合摩擦材料的耐热性得到提高,促进了第二接触面的形成,使摩擦系数与磨损率降低。高性能填料含量较低时,材料表面形成大且连续的第二接触面,第二接触面使摩擦系数、比磨损率降低,复合摩擦材料的主要磨损形式为粘着磨损与磨粒磨损;填料含量的增加会阻碍第二接触面的形成,使材料摩擦系数和比磨损率逐渐增大,材料的磨损形式由粘着磨损、磨粒磨损转变为磨粒磨损和疲劳磨损。     

Effects of Filler Concentration and Cutting Parameters on Material Properties and Machinability of SiC-Filled Epoxy Tooling Board

An experimental study was conducted to examine the material properties and machinability of a silicon carbide (SiC)-filled epoxy conductive tooling system (RP4037 CAST-IT^TM). Specifically, the effects of SiC filler concentration and machining process parameters (cutting speed and feed) on the physical and material properties, resultant cutting force, surface integrity, and tool wear were studied. Machinability evaluation was carried out using the end milling process. The study showed that an increase in filler concentration significantly increased the density, thermal conductivity, resultant machining forces, surface roughness of the machined surface, and tool wear. However, it had insignificant impact on the glass transition temperature, strength, or hardness. A decrease in material strength was observed with increasing cutting speed and feed. Increasing filler concentration was also found to degrade the machined surface morphology. Possible explanations for the observed effects are discussed.