Some Investigations into the Electrical Discharge Machining of Inconel 718 Alloy using Copper and Brass Electrodes

Abstract

Electric discharge machining (EDM) is a non-traditional machining process; it is a well established machining option in many manufacturing industries throughout the world. There are no physical cutting forces between the tool and work piece while removing the material, it only uses thermal energy to machine electrically conductive parts regardless of hardness has been its distinctive advantage in the manufacturing industries. Inconel 718 is one of the alloy that have relatively poor machinability, due to its work hardening nature, retention of high strength at high temperature and low thermal conductivity. This paper presents the results of experimental work carried out in electrical discharge machining of Inconel 718 using two different tool materials namely copper and brass. The outline of this work is to optimize the process parameters like current, voltage and pulse on time for maximum material removal rate and minimum tool wear rate. The response surface analysis is used for the data analysis while RSM's D-optimal method is used to solve the multi response optimization. It is observed that copper electrode perform better than brass for the tested work material.

A review on some investigations into sustainable machining techniques

“…Kale et al [16] found that performance of copper electrode is better over brass during machining of Inconel 718. Response surface analysis and D-optimal method is used for optimization of process parameters to find the minimum tool wear and maximum material removal.…”