Title: Experimental investigation and optimisation in EDM of Al 6063 SiC_p metal matrix composite

Authors: Akshay Dvivedi, Pradeep Kumar, Inderdeep Singh

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee 247667, India. ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee 247667, India. ' Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee 247667, India

Abstract: Al 6063 SiC_p metal matrix composite (MMC) was drilled by EDM to assess the machinability and obtain an optimal setting of process parameters. The effect of pulse-on (T_on), pulse-off (T_off), pulse current (I_p), gap control setting and flushing pressure on EDM of cast Al 6063-SiC_p MMC was investigated. The machining conditions were identified for machining performance of the EDM process with respect to material removal rate (MRR) and tool wear rate (TWR) by pilot experimentation using one-factor-at-a-time approach. Taguchi|s technique was further applied to obtain an optimal setting of the EDM process parameters. The experimental results and subsequent analysis revealed that all the selected process parameters were significant. MRR increases with increasing I_p and T_on up to an optimal point and then drops. The effect of I_p is predominant on MRR as compared to other parameters.

Keywords: electrical discharge machining; electro-discharge machining; EDM; MMCs; metal matrix composites; Taguchi methods; Al 6063; MRR; material removal rate; aluminium matrix composites; machinability; tool wear rate.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMM.2008.020965

International Journal of Machining and Machinability of Materials, 2008 Vol.3 No.3/4, pp.293 - 308

Published online: 29 Oct 2008 *

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