Study of the relationship between structure and properties of electrodes for EDM tools cutting systems “copper - metal” and “copper - graphite”

The aim of the study was to determine the dependence of the relative electrode wear on its structure and development of materials for electrodes tools with improved characteristics. The requirements to the tool electrode for EDM firmware are reviewed. Composite materials based on copper with different contents of refractory phase produced by powder metallurgy. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analysis and revealed the formation of intercalated graphite and copper sp3 bonds in graphite, sintered copper that enhance conductivity and capillary properties of the material. It has been investigated the influence of the content of the refractory phase systems “copper - refractory metal”, “copper - graphite” on the porosity, hardness, strength, electrical resistivity, the relative wear resistance of electrode-tool made of composite materials. It has been established that an increase in the refractory metal content and the electrical resistance increases porosity composites. It has been determined that the relative wear resistance at EDM insertion tool electrode made of composite materials based on copper-containing refractory metals, most of all depends on the heat resistance of the refractory metal; in systems based on copper and graphite the relative wear decreased by increasing the conductivity and the capillary effect.