Effect of electrical parameters on the PMD-EDM performances of titanium alloy

Abstract

This paper presents a study of the PMD-EDM machining of Ti-6A1-4V using Taguchi approaches. Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is a potential process to machine such material due to the properties of non-mechanical contact between tool and workpiece and capable to machine intricate shape. Powder Mixed in Dielectric (PMD) was proved to improve the EDM performance measures. In this work, the influence of design factors namely intensity (I), pulse duration (ti), pulse-off time (to) and open circuit voltage (U) were studied. Material removal rate (MRR), volumetric electrode wear rate (EW) and surface roughness were evaluated at various machining conditions. PMD-EDM showed a significant improvement in terms of surface quality when compared with non-added powder EDM.