Machining Characteristics of EDM for Non-Conductive Ceramics Using Adherent Copper Foils

Abstract

This study investigates the feasibility of EDM for processing ZrO2 and Al2O3 of non-conductive ceramics, which were covered by an assisted conductive material, an adherent copper foil, on the workpiece surface. The conductive material adhered on the surface of the non-conductive ceramics would induce a series of electrical discharges between the tool electrode and the workpiece in the initial stage of the EDM process. Thus, the pyrolytic carbon that cracked from kerosene was formed and deposited on the machined surface to maintain the progress of EDM. In this work, the essential EDM machining parameters were varied to determine the effects on material removal rate (MRR), electrode wear rate (EWR), and surface roughness. The stability of EDM progress and the surface integrities of ZrO2 and Al2O3 machined by EDM were also investigated. The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility and development of an applicable process for processing non-conductive ceramics through EDM. Moreover, the exploitation of this work can be applied to industrial applications and used to develop machining techniques for non-conductive ceramics.