Sebastian Skoczypiec

Electrodischarge machining (EDM) can be used as an alternative machining method compared to conventional ones, especially while very good surface integrity and high machining accuracy during machining of difficult-to-cut materials is needed. In EDM, the dielectric liquid has a crucial influence on the technological material surface integrity since it ensures the occurrence of controlled electrical discharges between the tool and the workpiece, cooling and solidification of gaseous EDM debris, removing erosion products and also dispersing heat generated during the process. In the paper, the influence of a carbonbased and a water-based dielectric liquid on the selected structural and morphological characteristics of 304 stainless steel after EDM sinking was investigated. The surface roughness, micro hardness and quality as well as the chemical changes after the corrosion test of machined surfaces were analysed.

The drilling of small cylindrical (D < 1 mm) holes with a high ratio of length to diameter (L/D > 10) in difficult-to-cut materials is significantly beyond mechanical drilling capabilities. Electrodischarge machining (EDM) is a good and cost effective alternative in such situations. The machinability of electrodischarge machined material is determined by its thermal and electrical properties; therefore, the high electrical resistivity, the relatively high melting point and low thermal conductivity of Ti-6Al-4V alloy cause problems during the machining of parts made of this material. In this article, the results of experimental research on electrodischarge microdrilling in Grade 5 Ti-6Al-4V alloy are presented. The influence of various machining parameters (pulse time, discharge voltage, current amplitude, dielectric pressure, electrode-tool rotation speed) on key technological factors such as hole depth, side gap, linear tool wear, mean drilling speed and hole taper angle was analysed.