Influence of process parameters on material removal rate and surface roughness in WED-machining of Ti50Ni40Cu10 shape memory alloy

Among the shape memory alloys (SMAs), TiNi SMAs have been typically used as the functional elements in the larger part of the industries due to exceptional properties like super elasticity and shape memory effect. However, traditional machining of these alloys is fairly complex due to these properties. The non-traditional machining process like electric discharge machining (EDM) exhibits outstanding capability in machining of these alloys. The poor selection of machining parameters may cause increased roughness of workpiece and lesser material removal rate. Hence, an effort has been made in the present work to explore the effects of three process parameters, such as pulse on time, pulse off time and servo voltage in wire electric discharge machining (WEDM) of Ti50Ni40Cu10 shape memory alloy (SMA) using zinc coated brass wire electrode on material removal rate and surface roughness using response surface methodology (RSM)-based mathematical models. The experiments were planned as per central composite design (CCD). The investigations revealed that pulse on time and servo voltage have predominant effects in maximising material removal rate and minimising surface roughness. The best combination of the process parameters for multi-response optimisation was obtained through desirability function.