EDM Sinker Cutting of a Ceramic Particulate Composite, SiC-TiB₂

Abstract

An experimental investigation of the machinability of the ceramic particulate composite SiC-TiB{sub 2} was conducted using an electrical discharge machine sinker cutting process. Machinability was evaluated in terms of material removal rates, tool wear, wear ratio, and surface finish, using copper and brass electrodes under rapid, medium, and very slow cutting conditions. Copper was found to machine SiC-TiB{sub 2} material faster with less tool wear but with a poorer surface finish than brass. A comparison of the percent of electrode wear in machining of steel to that of SiC-TiB{sub 2} under very slow cutting conditions showed that machining of SiC-TiB{sub 2} is much more efficient than of mild steel.