Investigating cryogenically treated electrodes’ performance under modified dielectric(s) for EDM of Inconel(617)

ABSTRACT

Inconel 617 has unique characteristics however it is extremely difficult to machine this alloy with conventional processes. Thereof, generally electric discharge cutting (EDM) is engaged for its precise cutting. The intrinsic issue of low machining rate in EDM confines its application. Therefore, this problem has been comprehensively examined herein employing different cryogenically treated electrodes, which has not been targeted so far. Moreover, the potentiality of modified dielectrics in the aforementioned context using the both cryogenic treated and non-treated electrodes have also been investigated. Experimentation was performed using three types of electrodes against five types of dielectric media under full factorial design. Total 30 experiments were performed. The electrode of Cu has outperformed in terms of material removal rate (MRR) in both treated and non-treated forms. The highest magnitude of MRR (15.66 mm³/min) has been achieved using a blend of Span-20 and kerosene dielectric. Cryo-trated brass has provided 95.2% higher MRR than that obtained with non-deep cryogenic treated (non-DCT) brass using kerosene as dielectric. Cryo-treated graphite tool produced the largest MRR (4.6 mm³/min) when T-20 mixed kerosene is used. Span-20 added kerosene is the best choice for getting high MRR if non-DCT electrodes are used whereas Tween-20 mixed kerosene is best suited for cryo-treated electrodes.

KEYWORDS:

• Inconel
• material
• removal
• rate
• EDM
• cryogenic
• Cu
• brass
• graphite
• surfactant

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.