Influence of micro size titanium powder-mixed dielectric medium on surface quality measures in EDM process

The enhancement of the surface quality measures is still attracting great research attentions in electrical discharge machining. In the present investigation, an analysis was made to improve the surface performance measures in EDM process with different tool electrodes such as titanium, copper, and graphite electrodes under dielectric medium mixed with micro size titanium particles. The surface roughness, hardness, white layer thickness, crack formation, and surface topography were considered as surface quality measures. From the experimental investigation, it has been observed that surface hardness could be improved significantly with titanium powder-mixed dielectric medium due to its ability of changing conductivity of machining zone with copper tool electrode. The electrical and thermal conductivity of tool electrode and powder materials can strongly affect the quality of the machined surface in EDM process.