Principle of Electrolyte Jet Machining and Its Application to Texturing

Abstract

Electrolyte jet machining (EJM), one of the electrochemical processes, can be used for fabricating micro patterns on curved surfaces and surface texturing. In EJM, a workpiece is machined only in the area hit by the electrolyte jet which is ejected from a nozzle. Micro indents formed by EJM on rolling bearing surfaces showed higher capability of oil film formation, increasing the rolling contact fatigue life. Depending on the current density, the surface integrity can be changed from mirror-like surface to rough surface. One of the applications of the roughened surface is to realize direct bonding at the interface between metal and polymer.