Effect of Tool Electrodes on Electrochemical Micromachining Processes

Abstract

In this experiment, the work piece is electrochemically machined which finds its applications in brine heaters, heat exchangers, propeller shafts, and pumps. The process is carried out using sodium chloride electrolyte and copper beryllium wire as tool electrode which is heat treated in three different methods which are annealing, quenching, and normalizing. The response parameters like theoretical and experimental metal removal rate have been measured and studied by varying machining parameters like voltage, frequency, concentration of electrolyte, and duty cycle. Based on the values obtained from the experiment, it is found that quenched tool electrodes have better machining capabilities than the other heat-treated tool electrodes and untreated tool electrodes.