Abstract
In this paper, we investigate the applicability of electrical discharge machining (EDM) to carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) and the effects of short-circuiting on machining in order to discuss material removal in EDM of CFRP. Sinking EDM using deionized water as the machining liquid and wire EDM of CFRP were carried out. The relationship between the short-circuiting ratio and material removal rate was investigated. In addition, the potential drop and temperature of short-circuiting carbon fibers were estimated with a simple model. Experimental results show that sinking EDM and wire EDM of CFRP can be realized. It is found that short-circuiting by carbon fibers contributes to the material removal in EDM of CFRP.
