THE PREDICTION AND CONTROL OF ECM SURFACES

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Ain Shams University, Egypt.

2 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Menoufia University, Egypt.

Abstract

The application of electrochemical machining for producing components under high degrees of accuracy and surface integrity conditions has increased markedly in an era of rapid and continuous engineering demands. The main attractions of the ECM process are its ability to machine very hard metals and to form complex shapes which are difficult to produce conventionally. The mechanism of surface generation in ECM is somewhat complicated and not quite understood because of the complex nature of the possible reactions occurring during machining in the inter-electrode zone. Incomplete data correlating surface integrity with mechanical properties could hinder the use of the ECM process. The present work highlights the effect of the various inter-related parameters on the surface integrity of electro-chemically machined components with the objective to enable production engineers allocate the suitable working conditions for each specific operation to attain highest degrees of surface quality. The results are finally furnished in the form of empirical relationships with the aim to generalize simple and useful data to be suitable for ECM designers in predicting and controlling surface finishes as required for the intended service of the component.