An Investigation on Surfactant Added PMWEDM of Inconel 718

A. Ranjan; S. Chakraborty; D. Kumar; D. Bose

doi:10.15282/ijame.17.3.2020.07.0611

Authors

A. Ranjan Student, Mechanical Engineering Department, NITTTR Kolkata, India.
S. Chakraborty Research Scholars, Department of Production Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
D. Kumar Research Scholars, Department of Production Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India
D. Bose Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, NITTTR, Kolkata, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15282/ijame.17.3.2020.07.0611

Keywords:

Wire EDM; Surfactant; Abrasive; Particle swarm optimisation; Surface topography

Abstract

This paper shows the impact of different process parameters and powder characteristics on the material removal rate and surface roughness obtained in surfactant added Powder Mixed Wire Electric Discharge Machining (PMWEDM). Inconel-718 is selected as the workpiece material, which has ample application in the industries handling environment of extreme stress, pressure and temperature. It has high work hardening properties along with high rupture strength, fatigue, and creep, making it extremely difficult to machine. So, additives having different thermo-physical properties are studied to improve the machining efficiency. The additives experimented includes aluminium, silicon carbide, graphite, and aluminium oxide. It is found that the electrostatic force present creates an agglomeration effect with dielectric additive powders, causing inhomogeneity in the mixture. So, a surfactant SPAN20 is used here to maintain the homogeneity of the mixture. The obtained MRR and SR are then modelled and optimised through Particle Swarm Optimization technique (PSO). It is observed that the addition of SPAN20 has improved the MRR by 13.56% and, SR by 45.05%. Also, it has been found that due to the combined abrasive action, abrasive powders increase MRR significantly than others. Furthermore, it is found that low grit size powders with lower density produces better machined surfaces.

Author Biographies

A. Ranjan, Student, Mechanical Engineering Department, NITTTR Kolkata, India.

Anand Ranjan is a mechanical engineer and holds an M.Tech degree in manufacturing technology from the National Institute of Technical Teachers ' Training and Research, Kolkata, India. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India. During his M.tech dissertation, he did several experiments with wire electrical discharge machining. He has attended several international conferences. His research interests include experimental investigation of non-conventional machining techniques for futuristic advanced alloys and process optimization techniques

D. Bose, Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department, NITTTR, Kolkata, India

Dr. Dipankar Bose is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the National Institute of Technical Teachers ' Training and Research in Kolkata. His research interests include non-traditional engineering, reliability engineering, welding technology, and fluid power engineering. Along with 23 years of research experience, he has 28 years of teaching experience. He has more than 50 publications in different journals and conference proceedings. He has supervised more than 40 postgraduate dissertations. He has also coordinated more than 100 Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Education training programs