CHARACTERIZATION OF ZrB2-SiC COMPOSITES WITH AN ANALYTICAL STUDY ON MATERIAL REMOVAL RATE AND TOOL WEAR RATE DURING ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING
This research work concentrates on Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) performance evaluation of ZrB2- SiC ceramic matrix composites with different tool materials at various machining parameters. Monolithic ZrB2 possesses lower relative density (98.72%) than composites. ZrB2 with 20 Vol.% of SiC possesses 99.74% of the relative density with improved hardness values. Bend strength and Young’s modulus increase with SiC addition until it reaches 20 Vol% and then decreasing. EDM performance on tool materials of tungsten, niobium, tantalum, graphite and titanium at various levels of pulse on time and pulse off time are analyzed. Graphite produces the best Material removal rate (MRR) for all the workpieces. Tool wear rate decreases with melting point and thermal conductivity of the tool material.