PROCESS OPTIMIZATION DURING ELECTRIC DISCHARGE MACHINING OF NICKEL-CHROME ALLOY

A C TThis investigation involves the multi-response optimization of electrical discharge machining for Ni-22Cr-8Fe-Mn-Cu nickel-chrome alloy.The input parameters such as discharge current, pulse duration, pulse interval and flushing pressure were investigated and the material removal rate, electrode wear rate and radial overcut were explored.The experiments were performed as per L27 orthogonal array.Copper electrode was used as conductive tool during EDM of alloy inside a dielectric medium.Optimization was performed using Taguchi approach followed by Grey Relational Analysis.ANOVA has been performed to find significant parameters for responses.The Regression analysis was conducted to explore the dependency of performance measures on the controllable variables.Results reveled that pulse-off time and the interactions of the peak current with pulse-on time and pulse-off time are the most significant factors for the process performance.Results were validated by comparing the predicted and experimental grey relation grades.