Assessment of Plasma Enhanced Machining for Improved Machinability of Inconel 718

Abstract

An experimental study has been performed to assess the feasibility of using a hybrid machining system to improve the machinability of Inconel 718. An assembled plasma enhanced machining (PEM) system is described, and experimental results obtained from both conventional and plasma enhanced machining of Inconel 718 are compared. Several advantages of PEM over conventional machining are demonstrated, including improvement of surface roughness, lower cutting forces and extended tool life.