Investigation of carbon nanotube added dielectric on the surface characteristics and machining performance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy in EDM process

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been utilized in different research areas because of their unique characteristics such as high electrical and thermal conductivity and very high tensile strength. In this study CNTs were mixed with dielectric in the EDM process to elevate efficiency of Ti-6Al-4V alloy machining, by the use of copper electrodes. The current study was also aimed to survey the effects of CNT mixed dielectric on the material removal rate (MRR), tool wear ratio (TWR) and surface qualities of the work piece. The surface quality of the work pieces were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and it was revealed that surface micro cracks were reduced in the presence of CNT particles in dielectric. As well as it was indicated that addition of CNTs into dielectric exhibited considerable advantages in machining stability which reduced MRR and TWR. The research findings obviously indicated that adding of these particles had decreased the surface roughness by the reduction of spark energy and uniform distribution of it. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The Society of Manufacturing Engineers.