Title: Electric discharge machining of titanium and its alloys: a review

Authors: Sanjeev Kumar; Rupinder Singh; Ajay Batish; T.P. Singh

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thapar University, Patiala (Punjab) India ' Department of Production Engineering, Guru Nanak Dev Engineering College, Gill Road, Gill Park, Ludhiana-141006, Punjab, India. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thapar University, Patiala-147004, Punjab, India. ' Symbiosis Institute of Technology, Symbiosis International University, Near Lupin Research Park, Gram: Lavale, Tal: Mulshi, Pune 411042, India

Abstract: Titanium alloys have been widely used in many industries because of their high strength-to-weight ratio, resistance to corrosion and high temperature stability. However, inherent properties like low thermal conductivity and chemical reactivity at elevated temperatures pose a major problem in machining of these alloys. Electric discharge machining (EDM) is a non-traditional material removal process used for machining of high strength-high temperature resistant (HSTR) alloys, tough and fragile components of electrically conductive materials by using shaped tools in the presence of dielectric fluid. The present paper reviews the fundamental principles of EDM and work done with regard to effect of operating parameters on material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), surface roughness and surface improvements on titanium alloys work piece.

Keywords: titanium alloys; electric discharge machining; EDM; material removal rate; MRR; tool wear rate; TWR; surface roughness; surface improvements; electro-discharge machining; surface quality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2012.044922

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2012 Vol.11 No.1, pp.84 - 111

Received: 15 Jul 2010
Accepted: 01 Oct 2010
Published online: 23 Aug 2014 *

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