Title: Electrical discharge machining of nickel-based superalloys: a comprehensive review

Authors: Pankaj Sharma; Kamal Kishore; Manoj Kumar Sinha; Vishal Singh

Addresses: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NIT Hamirpur, Hamirpur, 177005, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT Hamirpur, Hamirpur, 177005, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, NIT Hamirpur, Hamirpur, 177005, India ' Department of Materials Science and Engineering, NIT Hamirpur, Hamirpur, 177005, India

Abstract: Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is commonly used to machine hard-to-cut materials without physical contact between the workpiece and the tool. It works on a dominant thermal mechanism in which the material is eroded by melting and vaporising through numerous high-energy sparks. This paper presents a thorough literature review about the research findings of ED machining for different grades of nickel-based superalloys. These studies correlate experimental results with theoretical analysis, aiming to improve the performance parameters such as material removal rate, electrode wear rate and surface quality. The work focuses on the various process parameters and their influences on multiple responses. This paper also elaborates on the modelling and simulation techniques used to improve the machining efficiency by optimising the process parameters. This review paper includes the recent developments such as hybrid EDM technology mixing nano-particles in dielectric fluids and also lays forth a scope for future research.

Keywords: electrical discharge machining; EDM; nickel-based superalloys; dielectric fluids; process parameters.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMATEI.2022.125119

International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, 2022 Vol.13 No.3, pp.157 - 190

Received: 07 Dec 2021
Accepted: 11 Feb 2022
Published online: 30 Aug 2022 *

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