New machining method for insulating ceramics with an electrical discharge phenomenon

Abstract

As the electro discharge phenomena can only occur between electro conductive materials and electrodes, the insulating materials could not been machined by electrical discharge machining (EDM) method. In this report, the new machining system is proposed and the machining characteristics of Sialon insulating ceramics are discussed. It is clarified that the insulating ceramics are also able to be machined using the standard EDM technique with the adhesive metal plate and soft metal electrodes. It is accomplished by using one of the surface modification techniques for continuously making an electro conductive surface layer on the insulating surface.