Recent trends on electro chemical machining process of metallic materials: a review

Many newer higher strength materials are being synthesized for variable automobile, aerospace and manufacturing applications in the present scenario. Since it is very difficult to cut such materials using conventional machining process, it is important to utilize unconventional machining process. In the present study, a detailed survey has been made to analyze the influence of various process parameters, effects of electrodes, optimization and electrolytes on performance measures in Electro chemical machining process. The effects of pulse related parameters on electrode materials, coating materials and its thickness on material removal, overcut and surface topography were investigated under different perspectives such materials, electrolyte and machining parameters. From the detailed literatures, it has been inferred that still lot of research works have been required to find the suitable electrolytes and their combination during the machining process. It has also been found that the performance measures of the machining process can be improved by adopting different and suitable optimization algorithms.[GRAPHICS].