Title: Experimental investigation of MWCNTs mixed EDM of Ti-6Al-4V surface

Authors: Amandeep Singh Bhui; Gurpreet Singh; Sarabjeet Singh Sidhu; Preetkanwal Singh Bains

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amritsar College of Engineering and Technology, Amritsar – 143001, Punjab, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Beant College of Engineering and Technology, Gurdaspur –143521, Punjab, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Beant College of Engineering and Technology, Gurdaspur –143521, Punjab, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Beant College of Engineering and Technology, Gurdaspur –143521, Punjab, India

Abstract: In the present study, Taguchi's methodology with L₉ orthogonal array applied for the investigation of ED machined Ti-6Al-4V alloy viz. discharge current, pulse-on-time, pulse-off-time and voltage as input process parameters. MWCNTs mixed hydrocarbon oil used as dielectric medium to machine Ti-6Al-4V alloy using graphite electrode with reverse polarity. The output responses assessed as material erosion rate, electrode wear and surface integrity. The significance and contribution of input process parameters on the output responses analysed using analysis of variance. From the experimental results, discharge current evident significant factor for material erosion rate (contribution: 75.76%) and electrode wear rate (contribution: 77.55%). Whereas, pulse-on-time (contribution: 65.75%) followed by pulse-off-time (contribution: 28.18%) exhibits notable surface finish. Furthermore, a regression based model is developed and validated through a confirmative test. The micromechanics of the ED machined surface in terms changed morphology and phase transformation due to thermo process investigated using SEM and XRD analysis respectively.

Keywords: powder mixed electrical discharge machining; PMEDM; material erosion rate; electrode wear rate; EWR; surface integrity; regression model.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTECH.2020.109778

International Journal of Precision Technology, 2020 Vol.9 No.1, pp.56 - 70

Received: 06 Jun 2019
Accepted: 15 Feb 2020
Published online: 23 Sep 2020 *