PULSED ELECTROCHEMICAL MACHINING OF IRON IN NaNO₃: FUNDAMENTALS AND NEW ASPECTS

ABSTRACT

The interface of ARMCO iron during electrochemical machining (ECM) was investigated by microelectrochemical techniques. The results lead to a duplex layer structure model, a solid oxide film, and a supersaturated viscous layer. The consequences on pulsed ECM, especially on the important parameters such as pulse/pause ratio, potential, current density of oxygen evolution, Fe ²⁺ and Fe ³⁺ formation, pH, efficiency, temperature, thicknesses of solid, and supersaturated layers are discussed.

Key Words:

• Electrochemical machining
• Supersaturation
• Iron dissolution
• Capillary cell
• Flow-through cell
• Oxide films
• Large current densities
• Microelectrochemistry
• Iron passivation
• Oxygen evolution
• Cyclovoltammogram
• Pulse technique
• Viscous film
• Efficiency, Sodium nitrate

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The financial support of EC Growth G1RD-CT2000-00421 SPECTRUM is gratefully acknowledged.