Title: EDM machinability and dry sliding friction of WC-Co cemented carbides

Authors: K. Bonny, P. De Baets, J. Vleugels, O. Van der Biest, B. Lauwers, W. Liu

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Construction and Production, Ghent University, IR04, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. ' Department of Mechanical Construction and Production, Ghent University, IR04, Sint-Pietersnieuwstraat 41, B-9000 Gent, Belgium. ' Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Catholic University Leuven, MTM, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44 (bus 2450), B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. ' Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Catholic University Leuven, MTM, Kasteelpark Arenberg 44 (bus 2450), B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Catholic University Leuven, PMA, Celestijnenlaan 300 B (bus 2420), B-3001 Leuven, Belgium. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Catholic University Leuven, PMA, Celestijnenlaan 300 B (bus 2420), B-3001 Leuven, Belgium

Abstract: A number of WC-Co cemented carbides with 6-12 wt. % Co were machined and surface finished by grinding or Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM). EDM was executed in deionised water through several consecutive gradually finer steps. Correlations between Material Removal Rate (MRR), surface finish and EDM parameters were derived. The quality and integrity of surface finishes were analysed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Dry reciprocating sliding experiments on EDM|ed and ground samples against WC-Co pins using a Plint TE77 tribometer revealed a considerable impact of the EDM process as well as distinctive EDM finishing steps on the friction coefficient. [Received 4 September 2008; Revised 5 January 2009; Accepted 3 April 2009]

Keywords: WC-Co cemented carbides; wire EDM; surface integrity; dry friction; reciprocating sliding; electro-discharge machining; electrical discharge machining; material removal rate; MRR; surface finish; EDM parameters.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMR.2009.028536

International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 2009 Vol.4 No.4, pp.375 - 394

Published online: 18 Sep 2009 *

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