Machining Characteristics of Wire-EDM of Alloy Steels: A State of the Art Review

In recent times due to miniaturization of parts and complexity in shapes, it is very difficult or sometimes impossible to achieve desired machining characteristics such as high surface finish, high surface integrity and high accuracy with conventional cutting and finishing processes. In the last decade wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) has proved to be a very versatile manufacturing process to machine almost any conductive material attaining desired machining characteristics. Alloy steels are widely used industrial materials in the field of cutting & forming tools, forging dies, automobile parts, structural components in the chemical and nuclear industry, surgical tools, aerospace and marine applications due to high strength, high hardness, high corrosion resistance, and high abrasion resistance. There is a need to consolidate and summarize the variety of research for better understanding of research in this area. This paper presents control parameters, response characteristics, techniques used and important findings.