A review on the effect of electro chemical machining on metal matrix composite materials

Abstract

Composite materials are fabricated based on the need of the end user, harder reinforcements are added into parent matrix material by various processes and are used for industrial applications. The expectations on metal matrix composite materials are growing every day due to the need of the industrial expectations of light and strong materials, composites are expected to withstand high load with high temperature, subjected to heat, good conduction of electricity and heat, expected with hard surface etc. To satisfy the different needs the reinforcements are added in different proportions and in different fabrication methods. Most of the available metals and alloys are used as matrix materials and they are reinforced to support them in high loaded conditions. Materials like magnesium, aluminium alloys and titanium are majorly used as matrix material due to their application in shipping, automobile, sports equipment’s and aircraft industry. Composite materials are largely replacing hard and soft materials for its properties and applications. Metal matrix composite materials chosen for its mechanical and metallurgical properties which can be altered by reinforcements, the presence of reinforcements in the composite materials which are harder than the material makes it a difficult and complicated process for machining by conventional tools. Electro Chemical Micro Machining (ECMM) are widely used to machine micro holes for micro holes and corresponding applications and many studies about the compatibility of the fabricated specimens for micro machining and the factors influencing the machining process have been studied by many researchers. Duty cycle, electrolyte concentration and voltage are the major parameters generally influence the machining process but still many other factors are to be studied.