Performance of magnetized tool in electrochemical micromachining on scrapped alloy wheel matrix composite

Abstract

Hybrid machining processes play an important role in traditional and non-traditional machining processes. Adding the magnetic field effect in electrochemical micromachining (ECMM) improves the machining efficiency and accuracy of the micro-hole machined. The process parameters, namely, voltage, duty cycle and electrolyte concentration were used as input parameters, while machining rate (MR) and overcut (OC) are performance measures considered in this research. The workpiece was a scrapped alloy wheel matrix fabricated with a stir-casting process reinforced with alumina (Al2O3). The EDAX and SEM image study was performed to understand the composition and surface quality of the machined workpiece, respectively. The micro-hole without magnetic field effect was also conducted to understand the possible advantage of the magnetic field applied in ECMM.