Wire EDM Machining of Si3N4, ZrO2 and Al2O3-based Ceramics

Abstract

Advanced engineering ceramics are more and more employed in modern industries because of their excellent mechanical properties such as high hardness, high compressive strength, chemical and abrasive resistance. This paper investigates the Wire EDM of ShN 4 -based, ZrOz-based, and Ah03-based ceramics, provided that the ceramics have sufficiently high electrical conductivity. First, this paper investigates the cutting rate, the surface quality and surface integrity of Si3N4-TiN, Zr0 2 -TiN and Ah03-SiCw-TiC by Wire EDM. Furthermore, it is pointed out that besides typical material removal mechanisms like melting and evaporation, other mechanisms such as decomposition and oxidation have been identified. The latter mechanism results in a remarkable increase of the cutting rate, but a poorer surface quality.