A State-of-the-Art Review on the Recent Advancements in the Electrochemical Abrasive Flow Machining Process

Abstract

Abrasive flow machining (AFM) is a non-conventional machining method used for the fine finishing of complex external/internal surfaces of metallic parts. Generally, this process has a low material removal rate (MRR) and is a more time-consuming process. So, to overcome this problem, various researchers employed hybridization of the abrasive flow machining process (AFM) with a distinct nontraditional machining process. Hence, this paper aims to provide a detailed review of the electro-chemical assisted AFM (ECA2FM) process, which is a combination of electrochemical machining and abrasive flow process. Then, the effect of processing parameters such as grit size and type, the total number of cycles, current, voltage, abrasive type and size, extrusion pressure, design of workpiece holding device and proper tooling on the material abrasion and surface finishing is summarized. Thereafter the Progressive outlook on the integration of electrochemical AFM with magnetic energy is given. Finally, the emerging applications of the electrochemical AFM process are discussed.