Basically Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is a well-established non-conventional machining process, used for manufacturing geometrically complex or hard and electrically conductive material parts that are extremely difficult-to-cut by other conventional machining processes. Erosion pulse discharge occurs in a small gap between the work piece and the electrode. This removes the unwanted material from the parent metal through melting and vaporizing in presence of dielectric fluid. Performance measures are different for different materials, process parameters as well as for dielectric fluids. Presence of metal partials in dielectric fluid diverts its properties, which reduces the insulating strength of the dielectric fluid and increases the spark gap between the tool and work piece. As a result, the process becomes more stable and metal removal rate (MRR) and surface finish increases. The EDM process is mainly used for making dies, moulds, parts of aerospace, automotive industry and surgical components etc. This paper reviews the research trends in EDM process by using water and powder mixed dielectric as dielectric fluid.
KeywordsEDMPowder-mixed EDMDielectric Fluid
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