Fabrication of Tungsten Carbide Tools Through ECM for UAECDM Process Using Different Electrolytes
摘要
Tungsten carbide (WC) microtools are in great demand due to their high hardness, strength, and melting temperature. The electrochemical machining (ECM) process works effectively in the fabrication of WC microtools. The WC tool encounters non-uniform dissolution during ECM, and micro pits form on the machined surface, which affects the tool's usability and thus requires further studies. The WC micro tools perform nicely in the ultrasonic-assisted electrochemical discharge machining (UAECDM) process as they withstand high temperatures well. Thus, WC micro tools were fabricated in the present work through ECM, and the effects of four electrolytes, KOH, NaOH, NaCl, and NaNO3, were studied on the machined tool surface morphology and material removal rate. The influence of the machining parameters, the electrolyte temperature, and the applied voltage on the dissolution rate was investigated. Micro tools of diameter 500 µm were fabricated from 2 mm diameter cylindrical rods to machine borosilicate glass via UAECDM process.