2012 Volume 17 Pages 35-40
This study describes a method to fabricate tungsten carbide alloy pins of diameters from 14 to 60 μm with the machining time about 12 min by environment-responsive electrochemical machining (ECM) using an ultra-low concentration electrolyte. To improve machining accuracy, pin rotation and ultrasonic washing during machining were adopted. It was realized that thinner pins with better axial symmetry were obtained with the rotation and ultrasonic washing. Furthermore, the effect of electrolyte concentration was investigated by using a NaNO3 aqueous solution. It was observed that by-product adhesion to pins reduced by using a NaNO3 aqueous solution over a certain concentration and the machining speed was improved by increasing the current, which increased electrical conductivity.
