Comparison of machining characteristics of Inconel 601 with Brass and Graphite electrode in EDM using Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Abstract

Nickel-based super alloy (such as Inconel) is widely used in aerospace, nuclear, and chemical industries because of its excellent mechanical and chemical properties at elevated temperatures. Inconel comes under the category of “diffcult-to-cut” materials. In the present case, an experimental investigation on assessing machining performance during EDM of Inconel 601 has been delineated herein. Attempt has been made on evaluating optimal machining parameters setting to achieve satisfactory machining yield. A Box–Behnken design of response surface methodology has been adopted to es timate the effect of machining para meters on the response. Experiments have been carried out by varying gap voltage, peak current, pulse-on time (each varied at three discrete levels) to examine the extent of machining performance in terms of material removal rate using Brass and Graphite electrode.