Influence of polarity of electro discharge machine (EDM)‎ on surface roughness (SR)‎ and metal removal rate (MRR)‎ of low carbon steel

Abstract EN

Electro discharge machining (EDM) is one of a thermal process that is used for remove of metal from the workpiece by spark erosion.

The work of this machine depends on multiple variables.

One of the more influential variants on this machine is the change of polarity and the use of this variable is not wide and the research depends onthe polarity of the machinist.

Essentially, the polarity of the tool (electrode) is positive and the workpiece is negative, this polarity can be reversed.

This paper focuses on the influence of changing the polarity (positive and negative) on the surfaceroughness and metal removal rate by using different parameters (current, voltages, polarity and Ton).

Experiments show that the positive electrode gives (best surface roughness = 1.56 μm when the current = 5 Am and Ton = 5.5 μs) and (best metal removal rate = 0.0180 g/min when the current = 8 Am and Ton = 25 μs).

Negative electrode gives (best surface roughness = 0.46 μm when the current = 5 Am and Ton = 5.5 μs) and (best metal removal rate = 0.00291 g/min when the current = 8 Am and Ton = 25 μs).