Performance Analysis of Different Tool Shape in Electric Discharge Machining Process with Vegetable Oil as Dielectric Fluid

Abstract

Electric discharge machining (EDM) is used to produce complex geometries from difficult-to-cut materials in the area of making dies, mold, and tools. Complex geometries involve different shapes, and electrode plays a major role in reproducing the shape on component. In EDM, hydrocarbon oil-based dielectric fluid is used which is causing environmental issues. Recently, researchers attempted by using vegetable oil as dielectric fluid in EDM process which is a natural product and lead to sustainability in machining. In this analysis, machining performance of different cross sections of electrode is analyzed with vegetable oil (sunflower oil) as dielectric fluid, and the results are compared with conventional dielectric fluid (kerosene). The different cross sections of electrode used in the work include circle, square, rectangle, and hexagon. Material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), and surface roughness (SR) are observed with two sets of energy levels during the process. The result observed that vegetable oil has similar dielectric properties and erosion mechanism compared with conventional dielectric, and it could be used as dielectric fluid in EDM process.