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Transient simulation of electrochemical machining processes for manufacturing of surface structures in high-strength materials
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  • Sascha Loebel,
  • Mike Zinecker,
  • Philipp Steinert,
  • Andreas Schubert
Sascha Loebel
Chemnitz University of Technology

Corresponding Author:sascha.loebel@mb.tu-chemnitz.de

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Mike Zinecker
Chemnitz University of Technology
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Philipp Steinert
Chemnitz University of Technology
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Andreas Schubert
Chemnitz University of Technology
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Abstract

Electrochemical machining (ECM) is a method for removing metal by anodic dissolution. At the interface between the workpiece surface and an electrically conductive fluid (electrolyte), the material is dissolved locally without direct physical contact to the cathodic tool. Due to the force-free nature of the process, ECM is used for machining high-strength or hard materials, such as titanium aluminides, Inconel, Waspaloy, and high nickel, cobalt, and rhenium alloys.1 However, determining suitable process parameters remains challenging due to their interacting effects on working distances during the machining process. Therefore a simulation-based approach to process design substantially reduces resource and time investment to achieve the desired geometry of the finished part. This methodology requires data about the materials electrochemical properties, such as removal velocity and current efficiency, which have to be obtained experimentally. In this study, a methodology for acquiring and processing this data as well as the development of multiphysics simulation models is presented for two use cases: (i) manufacturing a centrifugal impeller with a diameter of 14 mm consisting of the nickel alloy Inconel 713C for use in turbomachinery and (ii) the generation of a defined surface micro structure into the novel Mg-Y-Zn alloy WZ73.
03 Aug 2020Submitted to Engineering Reports
04 Aug 2020Submission Checks Completed
04 Aug 2020Assigned to Editor
14 Aug 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 Oct 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
08 Dec 20201st Revision Received
08 Dec 2020Submission Checks Completed
08 Dec 2020Assigned to Editor
09 Dec 2020Editorial Decision: Accept
Jul 2022Published in Engineering Reports volume 4 issue 7-8. 10.1002/eng2.12360