DIELECTRIC FLUID | EDM Consumables suppliers
The EDM setup consists of a power supply whose one lead is connected to the workpiece immersed in a tank having dielectric coil. The tank is connected to a pump, oil reservoir, and a filter system. The pump provides pressure for flushing the work area and moving the oil while the filter system removes and traps the debris in the oil. The oil reservoir restores the surplus oil and provides a container for draining the oil between the operations.
The main functions of the dielectric fluid are:
• To flush the eroded particles produced during machining, from the discharge gap and remove the particles from the oil to pass through a filter system.
• To provide insulation in the gap between the electrode and the workpiece.
• To cool the section that was heated by the discharge machining.
The two most commonly used fluids are petroleum based hydrocarbon mineral oils and de-ionized water. The oils should have a high density and a high viscosity. These oils have the proper effects of concentrating the discharge channel and discharge energy but they might have a difficulty in flushing the discharge products.
For most EDM operations kerosene is the common die electric used with certain additives, that prevent gas bubbles and de-odoring. Silicon fluids and mixture of these fluids with petroleum oils have excellent results.
High removal rates, less tool wear, better surface finish have been obtained in the machining of titanium alloys. Other dielectric fluids with a varying degree of success include polar compounds such as aqueous solutions of ethylene glycol, water in emulsions and distilled water. EDM Consumables suppliers