Micro-electrodischarge machining using water as a working fluid—I: micro-hole drilling

Abstract Micro-electrodischarge machining ( medm ) using water as a working fluid is systematically studied to find its characteristics. As a result, the unique advantages of high removal rate, low electrode wear and consequently higher working efficiency, without formation of carbonaceous materials are found under optimum experimental conditions, as compared with the case when kerosene is used. This was achieved by the choice of suitable combinations of electrode and workpiece materials and electrode polarity. Use of a tungsten electrode with straight polarity is exceedingly good with respect to high removal rate and low electrode wear. This makes it possible to obtain a non-tapered straight micro-hole around 0.1 mm in diameter with a certain anticipative working gap. The advantageous properties of this machining method are effectively utilized to drill deep micro-holes with a ratio of depth to diameter of the order of 10–17 as in the case of 2.9 mm depth and 0.17 mm diameter, which is superior to the limits achievable with both electrodischarge drilling ( edd ) using kerosene and mechanical drilling with a micro-drill.