Influence of graphene coating in electrical discharge machining with an aluminum electrode

Abstract

Since the cost of electrodes in electrical discharge machining (EDM) is usually too high, it leads to a significant increase in the production cost. Hence, it is important to conduct research aimed at reducing the manufacturing cost of electrodes. Currently, coated electrodes are a new process solution in EDM. It can improve the economic and technical efficiency of this technology. In this article, the efficiency of the graphene-coated aluminum (Al) electrode in the EDM for Ti-6Al-4V was analyzed and evaluated. Material removal rate and tool wear rate were used as quality indicators in this work. The research results have shown a significant improvement in quality characteristics in EDM with coated electrodes compared to EDM with uncoated electrodes. The surface quality of the specimen with coated electrodes in EDM was also improved.