3.2 Ceramics
Using the assisting electrode method and the proposed experimental setup, micro bores can be successfully machined in MgO- and Y2O3-stabilised ZrO ceramic materials.
The use of tool electrode rotation leads to an increase in machining speed and reduces tool
wear.
While at the beginning of machining the starting layer discharges similar to those in metal uEDM can be observed, a transition into so-called ceramic discharges takes place that are characterized by a smaller peak current followed by a long constant low current flow.
These make up the majority of discharges when machining the ceramic base material.
The process that is used for Y2O3-ZrO2 can also be used for MgO-ZrO2.