Investigation of Machining Parameters and Surface Quality of AZ-31 Magnesium Alloy Subjected to Spark Machining

Magnesium alloys are commonly used in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, electrical, medical, sports, etc. The material is preferred in the making of engine blocks, transmission cases, and structural parts due to its unique material properties, like being lightweight and durable. It a...

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Main Authors: Shouryha Bhardwaj, Arnav Agarwal, Ishriit Tibdewal, Gururaj Bolar, Vishwanath Managuli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-12-01
Series:Engineering Proceedings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/59/1/135
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author Shouryha Bhardwaj
Arnav Agarwal
Ishriit Tibdewal
Gururaj Bolar
Vishwanath Managuli
author_facet Shouryha Bhardwaj
Arnav Agarwal
Ishriit Tibdewal
Gururaj Bolar
Vishwanath Managuli
author_sort Shouryha Bhardwaj
collection DOAJ
description Magnesium alloys are commonly used in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, electrical, medical, sports, etc. The material is preferred in the making of engine blocks, transmission cases, and structural parts due to its unique material properties, like being lightweight and durable. It also offers a good strength-to-weight ratio and directly contributes to the fuel efficiency of vehicles. Due to its usage in various industries, it is essential to understand its behavior under machining. But the machining of magnesium alloys can present significant challenges compared to other conventional structural metals and alloys. The research work focuses on investigating the application of a Plug Electrical Discharge Machine (EDM) for machining the AZ-31 magnesium alloy and aims to analyze the surface quality of the machined surface for selected input parameters. The experiments were conducted on a mirror-finished flat specimen while keeping the incision depth and servo voltage constant at 0.3 mm and 45 V, respectively. A copper tool was used to make nine unique incisions on the surface using selected values of pulse on-time (T<sub>on</sub>), pulse off-time (T<sub>off</sub>), and current (I). A surface analysis using optical microscopy revealed that the surface roughness increased drastically with a combination of high values of I, T<sub>on</sub>, and T<sub>off</sub>. The tests conducted using a profilometer confirmed the proportional relationship between the input parameters and the surface roughness of the AZ-31 magnesium alloy.
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spelling doaj-art-0807047a8bd54782a0ffd627e3c76ce32025-08-20T03:43:30ZengMDPI AGEngineering Proceedings2673-45912023-12-0159113510.3390/engproc2023059135Investigation of Machining Parameters and Surface Quality of AZ-31 Magnesium Alloy Subjected to Spark MachiningShouryha Bhardwaj0Arnav Agarwal1Ishriit Tibdewal2Gururaj Bolar3Vishwanath Managuli4Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, IndiaDepartment of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, IndiaMagnesium alloys are commonly used in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, electrical, medical, sports, etc. The material is preferred in the making of engine blocks, transmission cases, and structural parts due to its unique material properties, like being lightweight and durable. It also offers a good strength-to-weight ratio and directly contributes to the fuel efficiency of vehicles. Due to its usage in various industries, it is essential to understand its behavior under machining. But the machining of magnesium alloys can present significant challenges compared to other conventional structural metals and alloys. The research work focuses on investigating the application of a Plug Electrical Discharge Machine (EDM) for machining the AZ-31 magnesium alloy and aims to analyze the surface quality of the machined surface for selected input parameters. The experiments were conducted on a mirror-finished flat specimen while keeping the incision depth and servo voltage constant at 0.3 mm and 45 V, respectively. A copper tool was used to make nine unique incisions on the surface using selected values of pulse on-time (T<sub>on</sub>), pulse off-time (T<sub>off</sub>), and current (I). A surface analysis using optical microscopy revealed that the surface roughness increased drastically with a combination of high values of I, T<sub>on</sub>, and T<sub>off</sub>. The tests conducted using a profilometer confirmed the proportional relationship between the input parameters and the surface roughness of the AZ-31 magnesium alloy.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/59/1/135magnesium alloyelectrical discharge machining (EDM)roughnessprofilometeroptical microscopyAZ-31 alloy
spellingShingle Shouryha Bhardwaj
Arnav Agarwal
Ishriit Tibdewal
Gururaj Bolar
Vishwanath Managuli
Investigation of Machining Parameters and Surface Quality of AZ-31 Magnesium Alloy Subjected to Spark Machining
Engineering Proceedings
magnesium alloy
electrical discharge machining (EDM)
roughness
profilometer
optical microscopy
AZ-31 alloy
title Investigation of Machining Parameters and Surface Quality of AZ-31 Magnesium Alloy Subjected to Spark Machining
title_full Investigation of Machining Parameters and Surface Quality of AZ-31 Magnesium Alloy Subjected to Spark Machining
title_fullStr Investigation of Machining Parameters and Surface Quality of AZ-31 Magnesium Alloy Subjected to Spark Machining
title_full_unstemmed Investigation of Machining Parameters and Surface Quality of AZ-31 Magnesium Alloy Subjected to Spark Machining
title_short Investigation of Machining Parameters and Surface Quality of AZ-31 Magnesium Alloy Subjected to Spark Machining
title_sort investigation of machining parameters and surface quality of az 31 magnesium alloy subjected to spark machining
topic magnesium alloy
electrical discharge machining (EDM)
roughness
profilometer
optical microscopy
AZ-31 alloy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4591/59/1/135
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