Experimental investigation of the pulse duration on the efficiency and electrode wear of electrohydraulic forming process

Abstract

Electrohydraulic Forming (EHF) is a high velocity sheet metal forming technique using high-energy electrical discharges in a water chamber to shape complex parts. Despite its potential benefits, the EHF process is not well understood, and further research is needed to comprehend the underlying physical mechanisms and optimize the process parameters. One of the critical factors is the control of energy discharge within the forming chamber in terms of arc duration. The proposed study aimed to analyze its impact on the characteristics of electrohydraulic forming focusing on the efficiency of the operation and electrode wear. As a result, the height of the formed parts was compared and used to evaluate the efficiency of the operation. The electrode wear was estimated by a phenomenological model. By comprehending the relationships between these factors and operational efficiency, a tradeoff was established to enhance the EHF process, taking into account electrode wear, thereby expanding its industrial applications.

Keywords

• electrohydraulic forming
• pulse duration
• electrode erosion
• process efficiency