EXPLORING THE MUTUAL INFLUENCE BETWEEN THE DISCHARGE CURRENT AND NICKEL POWDER ON THE SURFACE PROPERTIES OF 30CrNi2MoVA STEEL MANUFACTURED BY POWDER MIXED ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING

Abstract

To date, a lot of studies have been conducted to investigate the surface layer characteristics resulting from Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM). However, research utilizing nickel powder in Powder Mixed Electrical Discharge Machining (PMEDM) and examining its effects on surface properties remains relatively limited. In this study, the influence of key process parameters, including discharge current (I_p) and Ni powder, on the material removal rate (MRR) and surface properties such as average surface roughness (S_a) and the microstructure of the surface layer of 30CrNi2MoVA steel machined by PMEDM with nickel powder was investigated. The results indicate that discharge current (I_p) has the most significant impact on both the material removal rate and surface roughness. Specifically, when increasing I_p from 5A to 9A, MRR increased by 128% and 83%, respectively for PMEDM and EDM modes, S_a increased by 31.8% and 30.5%, respectively for PMEDM and EDM modes. Besides, the presence of Ni powder improved the surface roughness and MRR.