Performance Evaluation of Electrical Discharge Machining of Commercially Pure Titanium Using Two Different Dielectrics

A comparative analysis on the significance of using two different dielectrics such as hydrocarbon oil and Glycerol+NH4F for similar experimental conditions is explored. Pure titanium and copper is chosen as work piece and tool electrode, respectively. Peak current is taken as input parameter and the impact of peak current on surface micro-geometrical features is assessed. The features like root-mean-square roughness (Rq), kurtosis (Rku), and skewness (Rsk) are considered as outcome measures. 2D roughness profiles, scanning electron microscope images, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy profiles are used to gauge the performance of two different dielectrics. Best possible roughness Rq of 0.51 µm is achieved using Glycerol+NH4F dielectric. Compared to the hydrocarbon oil, the glycerol+NH4F dielectric produced surface with 83.22% reduced Rq, 101.28% reduced Rsk and Rku maintained around 3 for varying peak current magnitudes. The glycerol+NH4F dielectric produced surface with evenly distributed surface irregularities.