Study of Wire-Cut Electro-Discharge Machining of Heat-Resistant Nickel Alloys

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis and theoretical model for assessing the quality and accuracy of wire-cut electro-discharge machining (WEDM) of products made from novel heat-resistant nickel alloys such as CrNi56KVMTYB. It is observed that WEDM processing of Ni alloy led to high surface roughness for the thick specimens, and electrical parameters such as pulse duration for the selected range depict an insignificant role in the value of surface roughness. On the other hand, the cut width of the machined surface decreases as the pulse duration increases, while the cut width is elevated for thick workpieces. Secondary discharges developed in WEDM have negative effects that cause sludge adhering and deterioration in the quality and productivity of processing. The regression model is developed to predict the surface roughness and cut width of machined surfaces, which holds significant importance in modern engineering. The workpiece is examined for surface integrity and material deposition. It is observed that an increase in the height of the specimen leads to the occurrence of secondary discharges, which in turn results in the formation of cracks on the surfaces of high-temperature nickel alloys. These cracks have a detrimental effect on the performance of critical products made from next-generation heat-resistant nickel alloys.