Evaluation of wire electro discharge machining characteristics of Ti₅₀Ni_50-xCu_x shape memory alloys

The machining of shape memory alloys (SMAs) is fairly essential and integral part in the manufacture of components for utilizing in engineering applications. An effort has been made in the present work to study the effect of wire electro discharge machining process parameters such as pulse on time (T on), pulse off time (T off) and servo voltage (SV) have been analyzed on material removal rate and surface roughness. The investigation clearly reveals that an increased pulse on time with decrease in pulse off time as well as SV increases the amount of material removed in machining of SMAs. On the other hand, the surface roughness increases with increased pulse on time and decreases with increased pulse off time as well as SV. The surface topography of the machined surface was analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confocal micrographs. Phase changes on the machined surface with respect to pulse on time and SV were evaluated from X-ray diffractometer (XRD) analysis.