Sinker electrical-discharge machining of aluminium matrix composites

Principal features of aluminium matrix composites are put forward. Emphasis is put on temperatures of melting and coefficients of heat conduction of matrix and reinforcement. The paper presents results of electrical discharge machining of aluminium matrix composites with particular attention given to thickness of the defected layer after machining. Influence of various machining parameters on the behaviour of saffil fibres and matrix material in the affected zone is presented. Scanning micrographs and roughness measurements are used to analyse surface finish following machining. The influence of used current parameters on the quality of surface layer after electrical discharge machining is discussed. The results for composite materials are compared with those for aluminum alloys.