AFM Nano Analysis of Inconel 825 with Single Wall Carbon Nano Tube in Die Sinking EDM Process Using Taguchi Analysis

A carbon nanotube has high mechanical and electrical properties, and specifically, high electrical conductivity. By using these properties in Electrical Discharge Machining, the single-wall carbon nanotube is mixed with dielectric fluid to analyse the surface characteristics of Inconel 825, which is very much used in moulds and dies. Carbon nanotube will absorb the heat from electrically discharged material and also minimize the white layer formation in the work piece. Experimental results indicate that the surface texture after electrical discharge machining (EDM) is increased very much due to discharge energy. An excellent machined nanolevel surface finish can be obtained by setting the machine parameters at low pulse energy. The surface roughness and the depth of the microcracks were proportional to the power input, especially the input current. Furthermore, the AFM tests yielded information about the surface morphology which is particularly important in the post treatment of Inconel 825 machined by EDM. Analysis of variance and F test were used to determine the significant parameter affecting the surface roughness.