Experimental investigations on electrical discharge diamond face surface grinding (EDDFSG) of hybrid metal matrix composite

Abstract

ABSTRACTStudies on the applicability of various configurations of Electrical Discharge Diamond Grinding (EDDG) are facing many challenges during the machining of advance difficult-to-machine materials. In the present paper, description of a new configuration of EDDG, called the Electrical Discharge Diamond Face Surface Grinding (EDDFSG) system, has been discussed. Experimental investigations have been made using the one parameter at a time (OPAT) approach to study the effect of gap current, on-time, off-time, abrasive grit number, RPM of wheel and table speed on the material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (Ra) during EDDFSG of hybrid metal matrix composite (MMC). Surface texture and recast layers of the machined surface have also been studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Higher MRR with better surface finish and hardly seen recast layers on the machined surface demonstrate the potential applicability of the process for machining flat surfaces made of such challenging and complex materials.