Micro electric discharge machining (μ-EDM) of polymer nanocomposites modified by graphene nanoplatelets/carbon using rotating electrode tool

Abstract

The micro-sized hole is highly required in biomedical, electronics, optical, aerospace components that are not feasible by the traditional machining process. This study highlights the precise micromachining on the polymer nanocomposites modified by graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) and carbon fiber. The electric discharge machining (EDM) of polymeric composites is too complicated due to its lower conductivity and abrasive nature. The little concentration of GNP in the epoxy matrix expands the machinability aspect of the polymers. The reinforcing conductive particle is used for the micro EDM (μEDM) of the laminate nanocomposites with a rotating tool electrode. The Taguchi concept-based orthogonal array was used to execute the machining test. The material removal rate (MRR) during the μEDM of the developed laminate nanocomposites was estimated using the sine cosine algorithm. The tests were conducted at three levels of process constraints: voltages, length of the pulses, and weight % of the GNP. The higher value of MRR is obtained at the optimal condition of voltage at three level, length of pulse two level, and weight % of GNP three level. The quality of the machined hole and the surface damages during the machining test were investigated by a field electron scanning electron microscope. The microscopy findings reveal that GNP addition significantly influences the nanocomposite micromachining.