Influence of tool steel properties on surface quality after electrical discharge machining by wire electrode

Abstract

The paper describes the results of experimental research focused on the identification of the influence of properties of selected spectrum of tool steels on the quality of machined surface after electrical discharge machining with CuZn40 wire electrode. The aim of the experiments was to exactly determine the impact of electrical conductivity, as one of the physical properties of the workpiece material, on the quality of the machined surface in terms of surface roughness parameters Ra and Rz. Then, on the basis of obtained experimental data, to contribute to the database of available knowledge that define the real impact of a particular physical property of machined material on the quality of the machined surface, taking into account its chemical composition. In order to extend knowledge of prediction of machined surface quality, mathematical models were developed. The purpose of the models is to describe the behavior of the machined surface quality after WEDM with 0.25 mm diameter CuZn40 wire electrode of hitherto untested tool steels depending on their selected property. The mathematical models will serve in the future as partial modules of the complex software for simulating of the machined surface quality after WEDM in terms of eroded surface roughness parameters.