Investigation of Surface Characteristics in Magnetic Field assisted Electrical Discharge Machining

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) has demonstrated its promising potential for surface modification. The integration of materials from tool electrode or powder that is mixed into the dielectric fluid has proven to modify the workpiece surface to enhance its mechanical properties, realize antibacterial effects, or increase biocompatibility. Recent EDM studies showed that due to non-contact forces, properties of the modified surface such as roughness values and the thickness of modified layer were significantly influenced when using magnetic field assisted EDM. Consequently, in this study, an external magnetic field with a strength of 0.66 T is used to assist the material transfer from tool electrode to workpiece surfaces during the EDM process. Pure silver and copper tools with a diameter of 2 mm are used to modify surfaces of Ti6Al4V workpieces at a discharge energy of 125 µJ with different polarities. Results show that the assistance by magnetic field significantly increases the content of transferred material from tool electrode to the workpiece surface. Additionally, it increases material removal rate and reduces the modified layer thickness. Magnetic field assisted EDM is a potential technology for improving the efficacy of the EDM surface modification.