Micro-WEDM of Ni55.8Ti shape memory superalloy: experimental investigation and optimisation

Abstract

Nickel-titanium superalloy has gained significant acceptance for engineering applications as orthotropic implants, orthodontic devices, automatic actuators, etc. Considering the unique properties of these alloys, such as high hardness, toughness, strain hardening, and development of strain-induced martensite, micro-wire electro-discharge machining (μ-WEDM) process has been accepted as one of the main options for cutting intricate shapes of these alloys in micro-scale. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive study to address the material removal rate (MRR) and surface integrity of Ni55.8Ti shape memory superalloy (SMA) in the μ-WEDM process. The effects of discharge current, pulse on-time, pulse off-time, and servo voltage on the performance of this process, including MRR, white layer thickness, surface roughness, and micro-hardness of the machined surface, were investigated by multi-regression analysis using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimisation of input parameters based on the gradient and the swarm optimisation algorithms were also conducted to maximise the MRR and minimise the white layer thickness, surface roughness, and micro-hardness of the machined samples.