Investigations on Machinability Characteristics of AL/SIC Metal Matrix Composites Using Sinking EDM Process

As the world is advancing forth technically in the field of space research, missile and nuclear industry, very complicated and precise components having some special requirements are demanded by these industries. The challenge is taken by the new developments taking place in the manufacturing field. Advancement in technology has led to development of many materials with better qualities in order to develop products of greater value. This has led to a search for better materials to satisfy the ever growing demands of product requirement. Composite materials are one such group of materials, they are formed by combining two or more materials to achieve certain desired properties. The focus of present work is on machining MMCs in aluminum matrix with higher percentage of SiC_p. In order to machine typical profiles on these materials authors found that conventional processes are not suitable. Conventional machining is uneconomical for such materials and degree of accuracy and surface finish attainable is poor. Hence unconventional methods were chosen. Among the many unconventional processing techniques Electric Discharge Machining (EDM) has proved itself as effective in shaping such difficult to machine materials. The present paper deals with the study of Metal removal rate, Surface roughness, dimensional stability and microstructures machining of MMCs by varying EDM variables namely discharge current, electrode material, volume percentage of SiC_p, pulse duration.