INCREASING ELECTROCHEMICAL MACHINING RATES

Abstract

Phenomena which may limit the rate of Electro-Chemical-Machining (ECM) are postulated, and indirectly studied by attempting their elimination. Of the mechanisms studied, three appear most promising: (1) Elevated electrolyte pressure in the ECM zone reduces boiling, cavitation, and formation of hydrogen bubbles. As a result, drilling rates of 1.5 in/min have been attained at current densities up to 19,700 amps/sq in. This can be compared with a typical 'maximum' rate of 1/4 in/min. (2) The use of fused salt electrolytes (such as NaOH) appears quite promising for difficult-to-ECM materials such as tungsten-carbide. (3) Pulsed Dc current with short reverse spikes appears promising for materials such as tungsten-carbide which normally form relatively impervious reaction layers.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 16, 1967
Accession Number
AD0659004

Entities

People

  • M. C. Meslink
  • N. H. Cook
  • S. P. Loutrel

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Aqueous Solutions
  • Barometric Pressure
  • Boiling Point
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Electron Tubes
  • Electronic Equipment
  • Flash Lamps
  • Geometry
  • High Pressure
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Pressure Regulators
  • Pressurization
  • Silicon Controlled Rectifiers

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Electronics Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering.