D09 Fabrication of peeling tool by zinc electroplating : improving surface roughness and decentering

Abstract

In fabricating a micro tool used for micro EDM efficiently, a "peeling tool", which is a thin wire electrode (core) coated with a low-melting-point material (cladding), has been proposed. To improve an accuracy of the tool, however, it is necessary to reduce the decentering and the surface roughness of the tool. In this paper, effects of commonly used additive agents, polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a surfactant, and boric acid as a buffer to suppress the change in pH value, in electroplating of zinc cladding were investigated. Change in pH values of solutions was suppressed by both additives. The surface roughness of the cladding is improved by adding PEG It was found, however, that adding PEG made removal of the cladding by a discharge difficult.