Open Access
Experimental analysis of the machinability of 94 WC-6 Co by die-sinking EDM
(MDPI, 2024-12-10) Salvide-González, Unai; Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2
Cobalt-bonded tungsten carbide (WC-Co) is widely used in heavy-duty machining applications due to its exceptional hardness and wear resistance, and it is increasingly being adopted in industries such as aerospace and the automotive sector, among others. Its superior mechanical properties make it difficult to machine with conventional methods such as turning or milling. Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) has emerged as an efficient alternative, as it allows for the machining of hard materials to be carried out without direct contact between the tool and the workpiece, provided that the material has sufficient electrical conductivity. In this study, a multilevel Design of Experiments (DOE) was conducted to analyze the influence of EDM parameters¿specifically, the current intensity and pulse time—on the surface roughness (SR), electrode wear (EW), and material removal rate (MRR) for 94WC—6Co. The results indicate that the current intensity was the most significant factor across all responses, while the pulse time played a secondary role. Surface finishes as low as Ra = 0.47 μm were achieved at I = 2 A and ti = 10 μs.. For each outcome variable, mathematical models were obtained in order to improve the EDM processes and better understand the machining of WC-Co.
Open Access
Analytical modelling of energy density and optimization of the EDM machining parameters of Inconel 600
(MDPI, 2017) Torres Salcedo, Alexia; Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
In this present research work, a new modelling of energy density in EDM (Electrical Discharge Machining) is proposed. Energy density can be defined as the amount of energy needed to get a unit volume of material removed, and for its modelling, the whole EDM process has been taken into account. This new definition lets us quantify the energy density that is being absorbed by the workpiece and the electrode. Results are compared to those obtained by die sinking EDM in an Inconel ®600 alloy using Cu-C electrodes. Currently, this material is of great interest for industrial applications in the nuclear, aeronautical and chemical sectors, due to their combinations of good mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and extreme hardness at very high temperatures. The experimental results confirm that the use of negative polarity leads to a higher material removal rate, higher electrode wear and higher surface roughness. Moreover, the optimal condition to obtain a maximum MRR (Material Removal Rate) of 30.49 mm3/min was: 8 A, 100 µs and 0.6, respectively, for the current intensity, pulse time and duty cycle.
Open Access
Análisis de la influencia de las condiciones de proceso sobre el acabado superficial de materiales cerámicos fabricados por electroerosión
(CENIM, 2004) Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
El mecanizado por electroerosión (en inglés, Electrical Discharge Machining, EDM) constituye una alternativa emergente frente a otros procesos de fabricación de materiales cerámicos conductores, tales como: mecanizado por láser, mecanizado electroquímico, chorro de agua con abrasivos, mecanizado por ultrasonidos y rectificado con muela de diamante. Debido a su interés en el ámbito industrial, en este trabajo se lleva a cabo un estudio de la influencia de las condiciones de operación sobre el aspecto superficial de tres materiales cerámicos conductores: carburo de boro prensado en caliente (B4C), carburo de silicio infiltrado con silicio (SiSiC) y carburo de wolframio en matriz metálica de cobalto (WC-Co), electroerosionados bajo diferentes condiciones de mecanizado y para el caso particular de regímenes de acabado (Ra ≤ 1 μm).
Open Access
Spacing roughness parameters analysis on the EDM of Inconel (R) 600 alloy
(Elsevier, 2017) Torres Salcedo, Alexia; Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
Many research studies may be found regarding the measurement of surface roughness parameters. Most of them are focused on amplitude parameters as they are the most commonly used in industry, while little research has been found on the spacing ones. Spacing roughness parameters measure the horizontal characteristics of the surface deviations. In this present study, the influence of current intensity, pulse time and duty cycle on spacing roughness parameters Sm and Pc has been analyzed. Design of experiments techniques are used in order to both model and predict the most influential factors by using a small number of experiments. Current intensity of 2 A, pulse time of 25 mu s and duty cycle of 0.5 are selected as the best machining conditions in order to obtain the lowest surface roughness.
Open Access
Optimization and modeling of ZrB2 ceramic processing by EDM for high-performance industrial applications
(Elsevier, 2025-04-11) Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Torres Salcedo, Alexia; Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Ingeniería; Ingeniaritza; Institute for Advanced Materials and Mathematics - INAMAT2
This study investigates the Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) of zirconium diboride (ZrB2), a novel conductive ceramic with exceptional properties, including high temperature resistance, excellent thermal conductivity, and remarkable hardness. These properties make ZrB2 highly suitable for extreme environments, such as aerospace and nuclear applications. To the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive studies have addressed the manufacturing of ZrB2 parts by EDM, positioning this research as a cutting-edge contribution. Two electrode materials, graphite (C) and copper-graphite (Cu–C), were used to analyze the material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (Ra) as functions of current intensity (I), pulse time (ti), and duty cycle (η). Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) were used to model the response variables. While MLR was effective for MRR (R2 > 0.9), ANN outperformed it in predicting Ra, especially for Cu–C electrodes (R2 = 0.9366 vs. 0.3847 for MLR). Current intensity was the most influential parameter for MRR, while pulse time significantly affected Ra. Residual analysis confirmed ANN superior accuracy for Ra, with residuals below ±1 vs. ±2 for MLR. The study culminated in the successful EDM manufacture of a ZrB2 hexagonal nut, employing optimized parameters (I = 6 A, ti = 50 μs, η = 0.3, for the C electrode) derived using ANN models and particle swarm optimization. This result demonstrates the EDM process ability to produce high-precision components with complex geometries, showcasing its versatility and industrial potential. Therefore, this study broadens the understanding of ZrB2 machinability and expands its applications in advanced technologies.
Open Access
Revisión de las aplicaciones de la electroerosión por penetración al mecanizado de cerámicas conductoras
(CENIM, 2002) Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
El término de materiales cerámicos técnicos o materiales cerámicos avanzados se aplica a una gama emergente de materiales, que tienen unas propiedades excelentes de dureza, resistencia al desgaste, resistencia mecánica, resistencia a la corrosión, en un amplio rengo de temperatura. Sin embargo, los materiales con buenas prestaciones suelen ser difíciles de procesar y los materiales cerámicos no son la excepción. Aunque la mayor parte de los materiales cerámicos no son conductores, gracias a la utilización de determinados aditivos metálicos es posible hacer que lo sean y, por lo tanto, éstos pueden ser mecanizados por procesos de electroerosión. El presente trabajo es una revisión de las diferentes aplicaciones de los materiales cerámicos, haciéndose especial hincapié en los materiales cerámicos conductores, así como de los procesos de mecanizado que se pueden emplear en su fabricación, incidiendo fundamentalmente sobre el proceso de la electroerosión por penetración.
Open Access
Spacing roughness parameters analysis on the EDM of TiB2
(Elsevier, 2017) Torres Salcedo, Alexia; Luis Pérez, Carmelo Javier; Puertas Arbizu, Ignacio; Ingeniería Mecánica, Energética y de Materiales; Mekanika, Energetika eta Materialen Ingeniaritza
Titanium diboride (TiB2) is a novel sintered ceramic material which has attracted a great deal of interest because of its excellent mechanical properties, wear resistance and chemical resistance. At present, this ceramic is used in specialized applications in such areas as impact resistant armor, cutting tools, crucibles and wear resistant coatings. In this present research work, effects of current intensity, pulse time and duty cycle on the spacing roughness parameters Sm and Pc have been studied. In addition, statistical tools based on the design of experiments as well as multiple linear regression techniques have been used. Experimental results suggest that the optimal conditions to obtain a minimum Sm of 52.60 gm and a maximum Pc of 190.60 cm(-1) were: 2 A, 5 mu s and 0.4, respectively, for current intensity, pulse time and duty cycle.