Recast layer and heat-affected zone structure of ultra-fined grained low-carbon steel machined by electrical discharge machining

Author(s):  
Mohammad Sajjad Mahdieh

Ultra-fined grain materials are thermodynamically unstable and when they are exposed to a high external thermomechanical energy, such as electrical discharge machining process, many microstructural changes will occur in them. However, in the electrical discharge machining process, the recast layer and heat affected zone are the undesired and inevitable consequences of this process, which have several adverse effects on the surface layers of the workpiece including microstructural changes, grain growth, alternation of hardness, initiation of micro-cracks and changing the composition. All of which deteriorate the surface integrity. In this article, the effects of the electrical discharge machining process on the ultra-fined grain steel samples have been studied through investigating the microstructure of the recast layer and heat affected zone via scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction technique. The thickness of the recast layer and heat affected zone as well as the cracks’ density and the hardness profile of the ultra-fined grain samples was measured and the results were compared with coarse grain samples. Results show that the undesired effects of electrical discharge machining process on the ultra-fined grain samples are more considerable than the coarse grain ones; for instance, by comparison with coarse grain samples, relatively thicker recast layer and heat affected zone are formed in the ultra-fined grain samples, in which the microstructure changed more considerably. In addition, on one hand, the more extended cracks on the electrical discharge machined surface of the ultra-fined grain samples were observed, and on other hand, the hardness profile of the ultra-fined grain samples varies more noticeably from the surface to the depth.

Author(s):  
Mohammad Sajjad Mahdieh ◽  
RamezanAli Mahdavinejad

Aluminum alloys, due to lightweight, are widely used in aerospace and automotive industries. However, the low strength of aluminum has hindered its application. The strength of aluminum can be improved in many ways. One of them is decreasing the average grain size of metal by applying sever plastic deformation methods. Equal channel angular pressing is the most functional technique of sever plastic deformation producing ultra-fine-grained metals. Using post-process methods such as electrical discharge machining to manufacture industrial parts of ultra-fine-grained material is very conventional. The recast layer which is the consequence of electrical discharge machining process may cause undesirable influence on the surface of ultra-fine-grained aluminum. In this article, the recast layer and the heat-affected zone of electrical discharge machining of ultra-fine-grained aluminum are investigated. The thickness of recast layer, heat-affected zone and micro-cracks is observed using scanning electron microscopy and optical microscopy. In addition, the phase composition and the hardness of the recast layer and heat-affected zone are investigated by applying X-ray diffraction technique and micro-hardness test. These experiments are also repeated for the coarse-grain aluminum, and the results are compared with ultra-fine-grained aluminum. Results show that the electrical discharge machining deteriorates the surface integrity of the ultra-fine-grained aluminum rather than coarse-grain aluminum.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Sajjad Mahdieh ◽  
Sara Zare-Reisabadi

Copper alloys, due to their proper ductility, proper thermal conductivity and low electrical resistivity, are very applicable in various industries. Ultra-fined grain materials undergo severe plastic deformation processes, in which the microstructure of the material is drastically changed as well as enhancing the level of the energy stored in the grain boundaries. These processes such as equal channel angular pressing, considerably change the material's properties including strength and hardness. Although some specifications of the ultra-fined grain copper obtained via equal channel angular pressing process is improved, the high level of stored energy makes it thermodynamically unstable and susceptible to microstructural changes during secondary thermo-mechanical processes. In the present paper, the effects of the electro-discharge machining on the ultra-fined grain copper alloy has been studied, and the results have been compared with coarse grain copper. The thickness of the recast layer and heat affected zone of the electro-discharge machined samples was investigated as well as the cracks density and the micro-hardness through optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and micro-hardness tester. The results show that the ultra-fined grain samples have thicker recast layer and heat affected zone and higher cracks density, comparing to coarse grain samples. However, the micro-hardness of the electro-discharge machined surface of both groups is approximately identical.


Author(s):  
P. C. Tan ◽  
S. H. Yeo

The thickness of recast layers produced during electrical discharge machining (EDM) is an important process performance measure as it may indicate an extent of crack propagation in a machined surface or thickness of a functional layer alloyed onto a machined surface. Thus, the availability of the recast layer thickness prediction models is needed to allow better control of machining outcomes, which becomes more vital for micro-EDM due to the microscale of machined features. The proposed numerical model, based on a multiple discharge approach for recast layer prediction, is developed to fill an existing gap in micro-EDM. The multiple discharge approach accounts for the overlapping nature by which craters are generated on the machined surface and considers the recast layer to be a combination of individual recast regions from individual craters. The numerical analysis, based on finite element methods, is used to determine the melting isotherms due to heat inputs on overlapping crater profiles. Then, a hemispherical-capped crater profile is estimated by applying a recast plasma flushing efficiency to the amount of molten material bounded by the melting isotherm. Finally, the recast region is defined to be bounded by the melting isotherm and crater profile. The model, developed for a peak discharge current of 1.45 A and pulse on time between 166 ns and 606 ns, predicted recast layer thicknesses of between 1.0 μm and 1.82 μm. It is then validated at pulse on time settings of 244 ns and 458 ns, which generated average recast layer thicknesses of 1.18 μm and 1.56 μm, respectively. Thus, the numerical model developed using the multiple discharge approach is suitable for estimation of recast layer thicknesses in micro-EDM.


Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (20) ◽  
pp. 5943
Author(s):  
Arminder Singh Walia ◽  
Vineet Srivastava ◽  
Mayank Garg ◽  
Nalin Somani ◽  
Nitin Kumar Gupta ◽  
...  

In electrical discharge machining (EDM), the machined surface quality can be affected by the excessive temperature generation during the machining process. To achieve a longer life of the finished part, the machined surface quality plays a key role in maintaining its overall integrity. Surface roughness is an important quality evaluation of a material’s surface that has considerable influence on mechanical performance of the material. Herein, a sintered cermet tooltip with 75% copper and 25% titanium carbide was used as tool electrode for processing H13 steel. The experiments have been performed to investigate the effects of EDM parameters on the machined surface roughness. The findings show that, as the pulse current, pulse length, and pulse interval are increased, the surface roughness tends to rise. The most significant determinant for surface roughness was found to be pulse current. A semi-empirical surface roughness model was created using the characteristics of the EDM technique. Buckingham’s theorem was used to develop a semi-empirical surface roughness prediction model. The semi-empirical model’s predictions were in good agreement with the experimental studies, and the built empirical model based on physical features of the cermet tooltip was tested using dimensional analysis.


2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Ashikur Rahman Khan ◽  
M. M. Rahman

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) produces complex shapes and permits high-precision machining of any hard or difficult-to-cut materials. The performance characteristics such as surface roughness and microstructure of the machined face are influenced by numerous parameters. The selection of parameters becomes complicated. Thus, the surface roughness (Ra) and microstructure of the machined surface in EDM on Grade 6 titanium alloy are studied is this study. The experimental work is performed using copper as electrode material. The polarity of the electrode is maintained as negative. The process parameters taken into account in this study are peak current (Ip), pulse-on time (Ton), pulse-off time (Toff), and servo-voltage (Sv). A smooth surface finish is found at low pulse current, small on-time and high off-time. The servo-voltage affects the roughness diversely however, a finish surface is found at 80 V Sv. Craters, cracks and globules of debris are appeared in the microstructure of the machined part. The size and degree of craters as well as cracks increase with increasing in energy level. Low discharge energy yields an even surface. This approach helps in selecting proper process parameters resulting in economic EDM machining. 


Author(s):  
R Rajeswari ◽  
MS Shunmugam

Electrical discharge machining is used in the machining of complicated shapes in hardened molds and dies. In rough die-sinking stage, attempts are made to enhance material removal rate with a consequential reduction in cycle time. Powder mix and ultrasonic assistance are employed in the electrical discharge machining process to create gap conditions favoring material removal. In the present work, experiments are carried out on hardened D3 die steel using full-factorial design based on three levels of voltage, current and pulse on time. The gap phenomena in graphite powder-mixed and ultrasonic-assisted rough electrical discharge machining are studied using a detailed analysis of pulse shapes and their characteristic trains. Two new parameters, namely, energy expended over a second ( E) and performance factor ( PF) denoting the ratio of energy associated with sparks to total discharge energy, bring out gap conditions effectively. In comparison with the conventional electrical discharge machining for the selected condition, it is seen that the graphite powder mixed in the dielectric enhances the material removal rate by 20.8% with E of 215 J and PF of 0.227, while these values are 179.8 J and 0.076 for ultrasonic-assisted electrical discharge machining with marginal reduction of 3.9%. Cross-sectional images of workpieces also reveal the influence of electrical discharge machining conditions on the machined surface. The proposed approach can be extended to different powder mix and ultrasonic conditions to identify condition favoring higher material removal.


Author(s):  
Uthayakumar M. ◽  
Suresh Kumar S. ◽  
Thirumalai Kumaran S. ◽  
Parameswaran P.

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) process is a non-conventional machining process used for the material which are difficult to machine. In this research work, an attempt has been made to determine the influence of Boron Carbide (B4C) particles on the machinablity of the Al (6351) alloy reinforced with 5 wt. % Silicon Carbide (SiC) Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) through EDM. Influence of machining parameters such as pulse current (I), pulse on time (Ton), duty factor (τ), and gap voltage (V) on affecting the output performance characteristics namely Electrode Wear Ratio (EWR), Surface Roughness (SR) and Power Consumption (PC) which are studied. The result shows that the addition of B4C particles significantly affects the machinablity of the composite, with a contribution of 1.6% on EWR, 3.5% on SR and 19.8% on PC. The crater, recast layer formation, and Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) in the machined surface of the composite are also reported in detail.


Author(s):  
M Sreenivasa Rao ◽  
N Venkaiah

Nickel-based alloys are finding a wide range of applications due to their superior properties of maintaining hardness at elevated temperatures, low thermal conductivity and resistance to corrosion. These materials are used in aircraft, power-generation turbines, rocket engines, automobiles, nuclear power and chemical processing plants. Machining of such alloys is difficult using conventional processes. Wire-cut electrical discharge machining is one of the advanced machining processes, which can cut any electrically conductive material irrespective of its hardness. One of the major disadvantages of this process is formation of recast layer as it affects the properties of the machined surfaces. In this study, experimental investigation has been carried out to study the effect of wire-cut electrical discharge machining process parameters on micro-hardness, surface roughness and recast layer while machining Inconel-690 material. Interestingly, hardness of the machined surface was found to be lower than that of the bulk material. The micro-hardness and recast layer thickness are inversely related to the variation of process parameters. Recast layer thickness, surface roughness and hardness of the wire-cut electrical discharge machined surfaces of Inconel-690 are found to be in the range of 10–50 µm, 0.276–3.253 µm and 122–171 HV, respectively, for different conditions. The research findings and the data generated for the first time on hardness and recast layer thickness for Inconel-690 will be useful to the industry.


2016 ◽  
Vol 724 ◽  
pp. 61-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Majdi Abdul-Rani ◽  
Alexis Mouangue Nanimina ◽  
Turnad Lenggo Ginta

This research study was conducted to investigate the effect of nanoaluminum powder mixed electrical discharge machining (PMEDM) on surface morphology and corrosion rate of titanium alloy material. The development of devices such as implants in biomedical engineering application nowadays requires materials having good mechanical and physical properties. Conventional machining process of titanium as implant is a challenge resulting relative poor surface quality. Even using electrical discharge machining (EDM) which is non-conventional machining process there are limitations including machined surface alteration with relative poor machined surface quality, low corrosion resistance and. PMEDM is hypothesized to address the above mentioned problems. In this study, PMEDM on titanium alloy using nanoaluminum powder and copper-tungsten electrode was assessed to investigate the improvement for implant application. Process parameters used are peak-current, ON-time, gap voltage and powder concentration. Surface morphology and average corrosion arte are selected output responses. Results showed that Surface morphology of PMEDM machined surface is significantly improved. PMEDM marginally enhanced corrosion rate of biomedical grade titanium alloy.


Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rakesh Chaudhari ◽  
Jay J. Vora ◽  
Vivek Patel ◽  
L. N. López de Lacalle ◽  
D. M. Parikh

Shape-memory alloys such as nitinol are gaining popularity as advanced materials in the aerospace, medical, and automobile sectors. However, nitinol is a difficult-to-cut material because of its versatile specific properties such as the shape-memory effect, superelasticity, high specific strength, high wear and corrosion resistance, and severe strain hardening. Anunconventional machining process like wire-electrical-discharge-machining (WEDM) can be effectively and efficiently used for the machining of such alloys, although the WEDM-induced surface integrity of nitinol hassignificant impact on material performance. Therefore, this work investigated the surface integrity of WEDM-processed nitinol samples using digital microscopy imaging, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Three-dimensional analysis of the surfaces was carried out in two different patterns (along the periphery and the vertical plane of the machined surface) andrevealed that surface roughness was maximalat the point where the surface was largely exposed to the WEDM dielectric fluid. To attain the desired surface roughness, appropriate discharge energy is required that, in turn, requires the appropriate parameter settings of the WEDM process. Different SEM image analyses showed a reduction in microcracks and pores, and in globule-density size at optimized parameters. EDX analysis revealed the absence of wire material on the machined surface


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document