A Review on Recent Achievements and Challenges in Electrochemical Machining of Tungsten Carbide

Abstract

Electrochemical machining (ECM) is a modern, unconventional manufacturing technique that uses the electrochemical dissolution of metal to produce pieces with a predetermined shape, dimensions, and surface polish. Tungsten carbide (WC) is used in many fields and applications due to its high wear resistance and hardness. WC is used in cutting tools, mining and drilling equipment, wear parts, industrial machinery, aerospace and defence components, and medical equipment. It gives a workpiece a particular shape and number of boreholes, removes a damaged outer coat, and eliminates surface roughness. Though the ECM of WC is fraught with difficulties and obstacles, altering the electrolytes and refining the technological equipment and process of the ECM of WC can help improve machining accuracy and stability. In the current study, we examined the ECM of WC and compiled a reliable database from reliable sources using the keywords "electrochemical machining" and "tungsten carbide". Research papers constitute the majority of these publications. It was discussed how WC behaves anodically as it applies to ECM, which experiments were conducted with various electrolytes, and how they performed. Several ECM modes have been considered, and each mode has been evaluated in detail for challenges and gaps.