Fabrication of ECM and study of its parameters in NaCl electrolyte

Abstract

Electrochemical machining (ECM) is a process based on principle of Faraday’s to remove metal from the work piece. Faraday laws of electrolysis states that weight of substance produced during electrolysis is proportional to current passing, length of time the process used and the equivalent weight of material which is deposited. In ECM, a high current is passed between tool (cathode) and work piece (anode), through a conductive fluid. This non contact process produces the cavity which is the replica of the tool. This process is not affected by strength, hardness or toughness of the work piece. The major components are feed control system, electrolyte supply system, power supply unit, and work piece holding device. Experiments are carried out to note the change in M.R.R with respect to the process parameters: voltage, feed rate, flow of electrolyte and concentration of electrolyte. The M.R.R increases with an increase of electrolyte concentration and feed rate. The results obtained from the series of experiments carried out are tabulated and also represented graphically.