WSEAS Transactions on Applied and Theoretical Mechanics
Print ISSN: 1991-8747, E-ISSN: 2224-3429
Volume 9, 2014
Investigation into Application of Electrical Discharge Machining as a Surface Treatment Process
Authors: , ,
Abstract: Titanium alloys are recognized as difficult o machine materials because of their susceptibility to work hardening during machining by conventional machining processes. This problem can be overcome by using electrical discharge machining (EDM) an unconventional machining process. In some of the researches it is reported that machining of workpiece by using EDM process modifies the surface properties of the base material. Hence, the objective of this study is to investigate the improvement in surface properties of titanium alloy (Grade 5) machined by die sinking EDM process using graphite electrode. Gap current, pulse on time, and pulse off time were taken as EDM process parameter and micro-hardness was taken as the response characteristics. From the experimental analysis it was found that pulse off time plays an important role in enhancing the surface hardness of the specimen. This is due to migration of carbon from the tool electrode and dielectric onto the surface of workpiece. This increase in the micro hardness can be taken as the indicator of surface alloy. Presence of titanium carbide (TiC) indicates that its formation is taking place in the plasma channel and the same was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction analysis.
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Keywords: Ti alloy, Electrical discharge machining, Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Micro hardness
Pages: 245-251
WSEAS Transactions on Applied and Theoretical Mechanics, ISSN / E-ISSN: 1991-8747 / 2224-3429, Volume 9, 2014, Art. #23