Abstract
Micro-rods are widely used in micro discharge machining (EDM) and micro electrochemical machining (ECM) as tool electrode. Since the material of tungsten has the advantages of high stiffness and good electrical and thermal conductivity, it is usually fabricated to make tool electrodes. In this research, tungsten micro-rods were machined with the electrochemical machining method (ECM), furthermore, the neutral sodium nitrate (NaNO3) was used as the electrolyte, instead of the alkaline electrolyte used by most of other researches. Since the bipolar current was needed to machine tungsten with the neutral electrolyte, it caused the disadvantage of tool wear due to the dissolution of anode in the negative polarity of the pulse power supply. The influence of the machining conditions on the tool wear was investigated in this research.
