Electrochemical micro-milling of niobium carbide (NbC) in different electrolytes and laser assistance

Niobium carbide (NbC) is a cermet material with mechanical properties similar to tungsten carbide (WC) and half its density. Conventional machining of carbides results in high tool wear due to their extreme mechanical properties. Nonconventional processes like electrochemical machining (ECM) are more suitable to process NbC as ECM is independent of workpiece hardness. In this work, ECM processing response of the multiphase NbC was investigated by machining channels of micrometre depth. Three different electrolytes have been used namely, aqueous sodium chloride (NaCl), aqueous sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and aqueous sodium nitrate with sodium hydroxide additive (NaNO3 + NaOH). The effect of electrolytes on ECM processing was evaluated through material removal rates (MRR) and channel profiles. Aqueous NaNO3 was found to be most suitable for ECM of NbC due to high MRR (114 μg/s) and lowest stray machining.The analysis of laser assistance to ECM using aqueous NaNO3 revealed that it could better localize the process and enhance MRR (153 μg/s).

ISBN:978-9-08289-313-7

Jaar van publicatie:2021

Toegankelijkheid:Embargoed