An Examination of Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) of Al_{2_O3}Particulate Reinforced Aluminum Based Composites

Abstract

ABSTRACT The material removal mechanism in wire electrical discharge machining of an alumina particulate reinforced aluminum based composite and the related machined surface morphologies were investigated. Under the two cutting conditions of this study, fine and coarse cuttings, the surface roughness measurements on the machined surfaces of the composite material did not show a significant difference, but their corresponding surface topographies were found to be intrinsically different. Besides, surface bandings were observed on the machined surfaces of some fine cut specimens and was believed to be caused by shifting of the wire. Based on these observations and the measured profiles, a material removal scheme for the two cutting conditions was proposed.