Title: Investigation of microstructure and element migration for rough cut surface of pure titanium after WEDM

Authors: Anish Kumar; Vinod Kumar; Jatinder Kumar

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, M.M. University, Mullana-Ambala 133207, Haryana, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Thapar University, Patiala 147004, Punjab, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Kurukshetra-136119, Haryana, India

Abstract: Wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process is most suitable for machining of pure titanium. Titanium is having excellent combination of properties such as high strength-to-weight ratio, low thermal conductivity and high corrosion resistance. The wire cut EDM is widely accepted for machining and shaping of pure titanium. This research work is mainly focused on experimental investigation on surface integrity of pure titanium by WEDM. The surface characteristic in terms of electrical parameters for pure titanium in WEDM process was explored. The selected machined samples were analysed using energy Dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) techniques. It was observed that pulse on time and peak current significantly deteriorate the surface integrity of machined samples, which produce the deeper, wider overlapping craters, pockmarks, globules of debris and micro-cracks. The surface integrity of rough cut surface was based on the theory of electrical discharge phase and metallurgical physics.

Keywords: WEDM; wire EDM; electrical discharge machining; pure titanium; microstructure; HAZ; heat affected zone; micro-cracks; rough cut surfaces; surface integrity; electro-discharge machining; titanium machining.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2013.057071

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2013 Vol.8 No.4/5, pp.343 - 356

Published online: 07 Oct 2013 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article