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Effect of composition and grain size on electrical discharge machining of BN–TiB2 composites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

A.M. Gadalla
Affiliation:
Chemical Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77802
H.S. Bedi
Affiliation:
Chemical Engineering Department, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77802
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Abstract

TiB2 conducts the current and forms a liquid phase at the interface with BN. Neighboring crystals of BN and some TiB2 spall due to thermal shock. During pause periods parts of the liquid and fragments are flushed out by the dielectric. Composites rich in TiB2 or with fine TiB2 grains gave high material removal rates. Increasing the amount of the conducting phase by 10% is as effective as decreasing the grain size from 11 to 7 μm. Coarse TiB2 could withstand high pulse durations before wire breaks. Material removal rate increases with pulse duration, frequency, and current. For the same composition and grain size, increasing the pulse duration or current increased the crater depth (the roughness) up to a certain value, beyond which increasing these parameters yielded a smoother surface. The conductivity of the dielectric was effective only for compositions rich in TiB2 content. In such cases, higher water conductivity lowered the energy required for material removal.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1991

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