Measuring the Influence of Process Parameter on CuCr Electrode Tool Wear Rate for Biocompatible Zr-Based BMG Cutting Using Sinking-EDM

Abstract

Subsequent processing through machining for biocompatible Zr-based BMG previously developed is needed in order to enlarge the material application, especially for medical devices. In this study the performance of CuCr tool on EDM process was investigated to cut biocompatible Zr-based BMG having low machinability nature. The experiment utilized volume loss technique to measure the TWR and consecutive SEM observation to reveal the tool wear mechanism of selected tool samples. The tool wear behavior was strongly characterized by the combination of discharge current and pulse-on time, where the larger TWR obtained by higher current and shorter pulse-on time. By SEM analysis, the irregular-shaped surface morphology with the presence of debris was observed on the tool wear region resulted by high discharge energy process. Additionally, the larger crater size, microvoids and numerous debris particles were also appeared on BMG workpiece surface machined using higher discharge energy.