A comprehensive review on processing of Ni-Cr based superalloys through EDM and its variants

Abstract

Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) is acknowledged as one of the earliest non-conventional machining process employed successfully to process hard/difficult to machine materials. This process can produce components of complex geometries with precision. It works on the principle of thermo electric energy which removes material from non-contacted electrode and workpiece by the repeated sparks produced. The material from the workpiece and the tool is removed by melting and vaporization. The necessary condition for generating spark between the tool and the workpiece is that both the electrodes must be conductive in nature. This review article discusses the research studies conducted in EDM to enhance the process performance while machining Ni-Cr based Superalloys. These superalloys are extensively used in aerospace, automotive industry and gas turbines etc. Furthermore, this paper outlines the future research possibilities in the same field.

Keywords

• electrical discharge machining (edm)
• process parameters
• ni-cr based superalloys