Title: Experimental investigation into electrochemical discharge microdrilling on advanced ceramics

Authors: B.R. Sarkar, B. Doloi, B. Bhattacharyya

Addresses: Department of Production Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700 032, India. ' Department of Production Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700 032, India. ' Department of Production Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700 032, India

Abstract: Electrochemical Discharge Machining (ECDM) process has great potential to machine electrically non-conducting engineering ceramics and can be applied for micro-machining operation. This research paper includes the experimental investigation to study the range of the parametric setting for micro-machining operation as well as the effect of various process parameters such as applied voltage, electrolyte concentration and inter-electrode gap on Material Removal Rate (MRR), Radial Over-Cut (ROC) and Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) thickness during micro-drilling of non-conducting engineering ceramic materials such as Aluminium Oxide and Zirconium Oxide. The experiments have been performed using electrolyte of KOH and NaOH salt solution. In this paper, an experimental investigation has been made to find out the optimum value of ECDM process parametric conditions for higher MRR, lower overcut and also lower HAZ thickness during micro-drilling on ceramics. The quality of the hole during micro-drilling greatly depends on the applied voltage and electrolyte concentration.

Keywords: electrochemical discharge microdrilling; material removal rate; MRR; radial over-cut; heat affected zone; HAZ; advanced ceramics; ECDM; electrochemical discharge machining; micromachining; process parameters; engineering ceramics; radial overcut.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2008.016772

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2008 Vol.13 No.2/3/4, pp.214 - 225

Published online: 22 Jan 2008 *

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