Experimental Investigation and Analysis on Borosilicate Glass Using Electrochemical Discharge Machining Process

Abstract

Electrochemical discharge machining process (ECDM) is a non-traditional machining process which has widely used in medical, electronics and aerospace industry. This paper discuss about the various different methods using same process i.e. electrode immersion depths along with electrolytic stirring effects in ECDM are discussed. The various process parameters considered during the experiment (applied voltage, electrolyte concentration and electrode immersion depths); on the other side response parameters consider as material removal, tool wear and surface finish. Experimental results indicate the adequate material removal with equivalent electrode cross sectional areas as well as fine immersion depths. Electrode immersion depth ratios, electrolyte concentration and electrolyte-stirring effect on borosilicate glass using NaOH as the electrolyte mediums show some improvement in process results. The addition of stirring effect to the electrolyte along with proper immersion depths of the electrodes resulted in improvement of the process performance mainly the improvement in surface finish values up to around four times than the normal ECDM process. The FESEM micro graphs of the fabricated micro channels reveal some interesting modes of material removal. EDS were studied for analysis of debris through this process.