Material removal characteristics of Al-SiO2 composite in WEDM

Demand for particle reinforced composite materials gradually increases and that leads to the use of inexpensive particles or solid waste particles as a reinforcement phase to lower the cost of the composite. Silica sand (SiO2) is an industrial waste that contributes to the strength of the aluminium matrix. Therefore, an attempt is made to use 10 wt. % of silicon dioxide as hardening of particles to obtain composite materials with an aluminium matrix. A stir casting method was used to produce the aluminium matrix. The mechanical and optical microstructural properties of the newly developed Al /SiO2 composites were studied. Al / SiO2 composites were processed using wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) to optimize processing parameters such as pulse-on time (μs), pulse-off time (μs) and current (A) to improve material removal rate (MRR). The model was confirmed and good agreement was reached.