Workpiece surface roughness and integrity after WEDM of Ti-6Al-4V and Inconel 718 using minimum damage generator technology

Following a brief review of EDM and its use on advanced aerospace alloys including workpiece integrity constraints, data are presented after machining Ti-6Al-4V and Inconel 718. Roughing and finishing (multiple trim cut) strategies were employed on two high specification machines with pulse generators designed to provide minimum workpiece integrity damage. Results include productivity, 3D topographic maps of workpiece surfaces, microstructural and microhardness depth profile data. Average recast thickness was <11 mu m, several trim passes showing no apparent recast or damage. Similarly, no significant change in workpiece microhardness variation was observed with cracking confined to the recast layer. (C) 2008 CIRP.