Characteristics of Machining Parameters on WEDM Titanium Alloy

Abstract

Wire electrical discharge machining is a material removal process of electrically conductive materials by the thermo-electric source of energy. This kind of machining extensively used in machining of materials with highly precision productivity. This work presents the machining of titanium alloy (TI-6AL-4V) using wire electro-discharge machining with brass wire diameter 0.5mm.The objective of this work is to study the influence of three machining parameters namely peak current, pulse off time and wire tension to cutting rate, material removal rate, surface roughness and kerf width followed by suggesting the best operating parameters towards good machining characteristics. A full factorial experimental design was used with variation of peak current, feed rate and wire tension, with results evaluated using analysis of variance techniques. Parameter levels were chosen based on best practice and results from preliminary testing. Main effects plots and percentage contribution ratios are included for the main factors and their interactions.