Modeling and Analysis of Machinability Evaluation in the Wire Electrical Discharge Machining (WEDM) Process of Aluminum Oxide-Based Ceramic

Abstract

The wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) allowed success in the manufacture of the hard, fragile, and materials difficult to cut, especially for electroconductive ceramic materials. In this study, the mathematical models of material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (SR) used for the machinability evaluation in the WEDM process of aluminum oxide-based ceramic material (Al₂O₃ + TiC) have been carried out. The experimental plan adopts the face centered central composite design (CCD). The mathematical models using the response surface methodology (RSM) are developed so as to investigate the influences of four machining parameters, including the peak current, pulse on time, duty factor, and wire speed, on the performance characteristics of MRR and SR. It has been proved that the proposed mathematical models in this study would fit and predict values of the performance characteristics, which would be close to the readings recorded in experiment with a 95% confidence level. The significant parameters that critically affect the performance characteristics are examined.