Investigation of Machining Capabilities of 2.5 vol. % MWCNT Al2O3 Composites in µ-EDM

Abstract

The recent advancement in ceramic composite field has led to various electrically conductive composites. The increase in electrical conductivity is due to the presence of conductive fillers which allows free passage of the electrons throughout the composite at macro level. The present work is an effort to machine alumina composites with multiwalled carbon nanotubes as the conducting filler (2.5 vol. %) in µ-electrical discharge machining process. Successful machining is achieved even with very low filler concentration. The entire process is found to be highly dominated by the rotation of the tool around its axis. The material removal rate increases while the surface roughness decreases concomitantly with increase in tool rotational speed. Also, the recast layer formation on the edges is found to decrease with the rotation of tool.