Title: Performance analysis of electrical discharge machining parameters on RENE 80 nickel super alloy using statistical tools

Authors: Shrinivas Balraj Uyyala; A. Kumar; A. Gopala Krishna

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kakatiya Institute of Technology and Science, Warangal-506015, Andhra Pradesh, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Warangal-506004, Andhra Pradesh, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, JNTU College of Engineering, Kakinada-533003, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract: In this paper, the main focus is to study the effect of process parameters of electrical discharge machining on RENE80 nickel super alloy in terms of metal removal rate, surface roughness and radial overcut. The responses of the parameters are analysed using statistical tools such as signal to noise ratio and analysis of variance. Further, multi-response optimisation of maximising metal removal rate and minimising surface roughness and radial overcut is solved using grey relational analysis. It is found that peak current and pulse on time contribute significantly to multi-response optimisation. The results of confirmation experiments indicate improvements in metal removal rate, surface roughness and radial overcut as 16.03%, 34.66% and 10.17% respectively. The surface topography study is done to reveal the machined surface characteristics. Finally, regression models are prepared for these responses and they are found to be satisfactory.

Keywords: electrical discharge machining; EDM; electro-discharge machining; nickel superalloys; signal to noise ratio; SNR; analysis of variance; ANOVA; grey relational analysis; GRA; surface topography; metal removal rate; MRR; surface roughness; surface quality; radial overcut; peak current; pulse on time; multi-response optimisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2014.060551

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2014 Vol.15 No.3/4, pp.212 - 234

Received: 20 Jul 2013
Accepted: 04 Nov 2013

Published online: 13 May 2014 *

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