Investigation of the Effect of Machining Parameters in EDM Micro-Drilling Using Deionized Water on Difficult-to-Cut Materials

Abstract

In recent years, efforts have been made to adapt electrical discharge machining (EDM) for micro-hole production in turbine blades to safer and more environmentally friendly conditions. The use of deionized water as a working fluid in EDM represents one such solution. The study investigates the effect of EDM parameters on two difficult-to-cut materials, Inconel 718 and Ti-6Al-4V. The results are considered preliminary findings, highlighting both the advantages and limitations of the process. They indicate that electrical discharge drilling (EDD) using deionized water is a promising solution. In this process, the use of deionized water enables additional electrochemical dissolution, thereby accelerating material removal. The analysis shows that the adopted parameter values are more suitable for drilling the titanium alloy; however, the accuracy of the resulting hole geometry requires further improvement.