Investigation of electrochemical micro- machining process parameters on stainless steel 316 by sodium chloride electrolyte

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, 641021, India
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, Karpagam College of Engineering, Coimbatore, 641032, India
³ Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, CMR College of Engineering & Technology, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
⁴ Department of AIMLE, GRIET, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
⁵ Department of Structurals Techniques Engineering, College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University, Najaf, Iraq; Department of Structurals Techniques Engineering, College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University of Al Diwaniyah, Al Diwaniyah, Iraq; Department of Structurals Techniques Engineering, College of Technical Engineering, The Islamic University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq

^* Corresponding author: prabagaran.s@karpagam.com

Abstract

The exact and effective shaping of complicated geometries on a variety of materials, including Stainless Steel 316 (SS316), an alloy that is extensively utilized in the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries, is possible through the application of electrochemical micro-machining (ECMM). This study uses sodium chloride electrolyte to examine how process factors affect the ECMM of SS316. The literature study emphasizes how crucial process parameter optimization is to improving surface quality and machining efficiency in ECMM. The effects of voltage, electrolyte concentration, and machining time on surface roughness (Ra), material removal rate (MRR), and other machining properties have been well-explained by earlier research. The precise impacts of these parameters on SS316 machining with sodium chloride electrolyte still need to be investigated, though. The main ideas behind ECMM and the electrochemical behavior of SS316 in sodium chloride electrolyte are explained by the theoretical background. Researchers can create practical plans for managing machining settings and accomplishing desired machining results by comprehending the electrochemical reactions and material dissolving mechanisms. The experimental design and protocols used in this work are described in full in the methodology. We prepared and ran ECMM on SS316 specimens with various voltage levels, electrolyte concentrations, and machining times. In order to assess machining performance, MRR and surface roughness were evaluated. The data was analyzed using statistical analytic techniques in order to pinpoint important variables influencing the machining process.The experimental results and their implications for SS316 machining are presented in the results and discussion section. In order to achieve high machining efficiency and surface quality, the best parameter combinations are found by analyzing the effects of voltage, electrolyte concentration, and machining time on MRR and surface roughness. Furthermore, the impact of additional variables on machining performance is examined, including the geometry of the tool and the substance of the electrode. The study’s main conclusions are outlined in the conclusion, along with suggestions for more research. By offering insightful information about the ECMM process parameters for SS316 machining with sodium chloride electrolyte, the study advances machining technology in sectors where SS316 components are often used.