Effect of Use of Cu-Cr P/M Electrodes on Machining Performance of Electric Discharge Machining

Abstract

In this study, the effect of use of Cu-Cr powder metal (P/M) electrodes on EDM performance outputs, namely material removal rate (MRR), electrode wear rate (EWR), mean and maximum roughness of machined surface (R-a and R-z) and workpiece surface recast layer thickness, was investigated experimentally. The Cu-Cr P/M electrodes produced at different mixing ratios, compacting pressures and sintering temperatures were used to machine SAE 1040 steel. The analyses performed have shown that the electrode material is deposited on to the work surface as a layer and the powder mixing ratio, the compaction pressure and sintering temperature affect the EDM performance outputs.