International Journal Of Computational Engineering Research (ijceronline.com) Vol. 3 Issue.

A Study of Influence of Electrochemical Process Parameters on

the Material Removal Rate and Surface Roughness of SS AISI
304
1,
1,

S. S. Uttarwar, 2,Dr. I. K. Chopde

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Priyadarshini College of Engineering, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

2,
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur
Maharashtra, India

Abstract
The machining of complex shaped designs was difficult earlier, but with the advent of the new
machining processes incorporating in it chemical, electrical & mechanical processes, manufacturing has
redefined itself. This paper presents results of the Electrochemical Machining (ECM) process, which was used
to machine the SS AISI 304. Specifically, the Material Removal Rate (MRR) and Surface Roughness (SR) as a
function of ECM were determined. The experimental work was based on the Taguchi approach of
experimentation and table L32 was used. Furthermore, a theoretical and computational model is presented to
illustrate the influence parameter variations in results. The influence of independent parameters such as time of
electrolysis, voltage, current, concentration of electrolyte, feed rate and pressure on output parameters material
removal rate and SR is studied in this work. The results indicated that MRR was remarkably affected by
variation in current and Surface Roughness decreased with increase in current. Hence, it was apparent that
irregular MRR was more likely to occur at high currents. The results showed that MRR increased with
increasing electrical voltage, molar concentration of electrolyte, time of electrolysis and feed rate. However, the
time of electrolysis was the most influential parameter on the produced surface finish.

Keywords: Electrochemical machining; Material removal rate; Time; Feed rate; electrolyte concentration,
Anova, Percentage error.

1. Introduction

Electrochemical machining (ECM), a nontraditional process for machining[1,2] has been recognized
now a days for performing numerous machining operations.[4] Earlier the machining of complex shaped designs
was difficult, however, with the advent of the new machining processes that incorporate in it chemical, electrical
and mechanical processes, manufacturing process has redefined itself.[3] New materials which have high
strength to weight ratio, heat resistance, hardness and are also complex shapes needing greater accuracy demand
development of newer type of machining process. The new and improved machining processes are often
referred to as unconventional machining processes. For e.g. ECM removes material without heat. Almost all
types of metals can be machined by this process. In todays high precision and time sensitive scenario, ECM has
wide scope for applications.[5] More specifically, ECM is a process based on the controlled anodic dissolution of
the work piece anode,[6] with the tool as the cathode, in an electrolytic solution. [11] The electrolyte flows between
the electrodes and carries away the dissolved metal.
Since the first introduction of ECM in 1929 by Gusseff, its industrial applications have been extended
to electrochemical drilling, electrochemical deburring, electrochemical grinding and electrochemical
polishing.[13] More specifically, ECM was found more advantageous for high-strength alloys. Today, ECM has
been increasingly recognized for its potential for machining,[7] while the precision of the machined profile is a
concern of its application.[9,10] During the ECM process, electrical current passes through an electrolyte solution
between a cathode tool and an anode work piece.
The work piece is eroded in accordance with Faradays law of electrolysis.[12] ECM processes find
wide applicability in areas such as aerospace and electronic industries for shaping and finishing operations of a
variety of parts that are a few microns in diameter. [13] Furthermore, it has been reported that the accuracy of
machining can be improved by the use of pulsed electrical current and controlling various process parameters.
Amongst the often considered parameters are electrolyte concentration, voltage, current and inter electrode
gap.[14] Though there is a possibility of improving the precision of work, the dependency of accuracy on
numerous parameters demand that a thorough investigation should be carried out to ascertain the causality to
different parameters. In the backdrop of above information, this study was carried out to assess the best
conditions (with respect to different process parameters) for improving the accuracy of ECM process. In this
paper the authors propose an analytical model of electrochemical erosion to predict the finishing machined work

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A Study Of Influence Of Electrochemical Process Parameters

piece. The study envisaged an empirical data obtained from the experiments carried out to assess effect of
operating parameter variations on material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (SR) for Stainless steel
(AISI 202).

2. ECM Setup
Fig 1and 2 shows the schematic set up of ECM in which two electrodes were placed at a distance of
about 0.1 to 1mm and immersed in an electrolyte, which was a solution of sodium chloride.[15] When an
electrical potential (of about 20V) is applied between the electrodes, the ions existing in the electrolyte migrate
toward the electrodes[15].

Fig 1. ECM Setup

Fig 2. Block diagram of ECM setup

3. ECM Process Characteristics

3.1 Material removal rate:
The MRR primarily depends on the feed rates. The feed rate determines the amount of current that can
pass through the work and the tool. As the tool approaches the work piece the length of the conductive current
path decreases and the magnitude of current increases. This continues until the current is just sufficient to
remove the metal at a rate corresponding to the rate of tool advance. Thereafter a stable cut is made available
with a fixed spacing between the work and the tool, which is termed as the equilibrium-machining gap. If the
tool feed rate is reduced, the tool advance will momentarily lag behind, increasing the gap and thus resulting in a
reduction of current. This happens until a stable gap is once again established. Thus, the feed rate is an
important parameter, which was given due consideration in the experiment.
3.2 Accuracy
Under ideal conditions and with properly designed tooling, ECM is capable of holding tolerance of the
order of .02 mm & less. Repeatability of the ECM process is also very good. This is largely due to the fact that
the tool wear is virtually non-existent on a good machine; tolerance can be maintained on a production basis in
the region of .02-.04 mm. As a general rule, the more complex the shape of the work, the more difficult is to
hold tight tolerances and the greater is the attention required for developing a proper tooling and electrode
shape.
3.3 Surface Finish
ECM under certain conditions can produce surface finishes of the order of 0.4mm. This can be
obtained by the frontal cut or the rotation of the tool or the work. Hence care was taken to control the important
variables affecting the surface finish are feed rate, voltage, electrolyte composition, pressure, current & flow.

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A Study Of Influence Of Electrochemical Process Parameters

4. Operating Parameters In ECM
The operating parameters which are within the control of the operator and which influence ECM
process capabilities are as follows: [14],[15]
4.1 Voltage
The nature of applied power supply is of two types, DC (full wave rectified) and pulse DC. A full wave
rectified DC supplies continuous voltage and a pulse generator is used to supply pulses of voltage with specific
on-time and off-time. The MRR is proportional to the applied voltage. But, the experimental values were found
to be varying non-linearly with voltage. This is mainly because of less dissolution efficiency in the low voltage
zone as compared to the high voltage zone.[12] However continuous voltage supply is used for this
experimentation work.
4.2 Feed Rate
Feed rate governs the gap between the tool (cathode) and the work piece (anode) it is important for
metal removal in ECM.[6] It plays a major role for accuracy in shape generation and hence was constantly
monitored.
4.3 Electrolyte and its concentration
ECM electrolyte is generally classified into two categories, passivity electrolyte containing oxidizing
anions e.g. sodium nitrate and sodium chlorate, etc. and non-passivity electrolyte containing relatively
aggressive anions such as sodium chloride. Passivity electrolytes are known to give better machining precision.
This is due to their ability to form oxide films and evolve oxygen in the stray current region. From review of
past research, in most of the investigations researchers recommended NaClO3, NaNO3, and NaCl solution with
different concentration for ECM and hence, NaCl was used as an electrolyte in this experimentation with
concentration of 125gm/lit and 150gm/lt.
4.4 Current
Current plays a vital role in ECM. The MRR is directly proportions to the current (i.e. MRR increases
with increase in current). However, this increase can be observed up to a certain limit and exceeding current
beyond this level negatively affects accuracy and finishing of work piece. Hence, care was taken to apply
current in the desired way.

5. Experimental Setup
Fig 3 shows actual photograph of the experimental set up of ECM on which the experimentation
process was carried out.

Fig 3. Experimental set up of ECM process

5.1 Tool and Work piece Material
The tool used in this study was made up of copper while the work-piece used is this study was made up
of Stainless Steel SS 304. This work piece was selected for this study as it has wide applications in various
fields. The chemical composition of the used work piece i.e. SS 304 are as follows
Sample
SS 202

C
(%)
0.023

Si
(%)
0.447

Mn
(%)
1.16

P
(%)
0.038

S
(%)
0.016

Cr
(%)
18.31

Ni
(%)
7.99

Cu
(%)
1.05

Fe (%)
Remaining

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A Study Of Influence Of Electrochemical Process Parameters

Fig 4. Chemical characteristics of work piece SS 304

5.2 Experimentation Work
An Orthogonal Array L32(21*45) of Taguchi method was used for conducting the experimentation
work. The results of dependent parameters (MRR and SR) with respect to all levels of independent parameters
are shown in a following table.
Table 2 Values of Dependent and Independent Parameters (Orthogonal array L 32)
Run
No.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17

Independent parameters
Electrolyte
Conc.
(gms/Ltr)
E

Voltage
(V)

Current
(Amp)

Feed
(MM/min)

0.1

Dependent parameters
Electrolyte
Flow
(Ltrs/min)
C

Pressure
(Kg/Cm2)

MRR
(mg/min)

125

10

100

0.2

3.4

125

10

125

0.3

3.6

125

10

150

0.4

3.7

125

10

175

0.1

3.8

125

14

100

0.2

3.6

125

14

125

0.3

3.4

125

14

150

0.4

3.8

125

14

175

0.2

3.7

125

18

100

0.1

3.8

125

18

125

0.4

3.7

125

18

150

0.3

3.6

125

18

175

0.2

3.4

125

22

100

0.1

3.7

125

22

125

0.4

3.8

125

22

150

0.3

3.4

125

22

175

0.4

3.6

150

10

100

0.3

3.8

SR
(m)

5.277

H
4.074

5.224

3.788

5.259

3.775

6.380

5.591

4.430

3.626

5.586

3.306

5.161

3.491

4.136

3.304

4.705

3.677

5.859

3.603

6.056

5.099

4.811

4.474

4.497

4.013

5.365

3.573

5.086

3.760

4.789

3.458

5.612

4.299

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A Study Of Influence Of Electrochemical Process Parameters

18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

150

10

125

0.2

3.7

150

10

150

0.1

3.6

150

10

175

0.4

3.4

150

14

100

0.3

3.7

150

14

125

0.2

3,8

150

14

150

0.1

3.4

150

14

175

0.3

3.6

150

18

100

0.4

3.4

150

18

125

0.1

3.6

150

18

150

0.2

3.7

150

18

175

0.3

3.8

150

22

100

0.4

3.6

150

22

125

0.1

3.4

150

22

150

0.2

3.8

150

22

175

0.3

3.7

4400

512

4400

0.4

176

112.2

4.922

3.362

5.373

3.510

5.343

3.259

6.703

6.402

4.514

3.268

6.705

5.971

5.468

3.713

5.144

3.149

4.657

3.602

5.439

4.612

6.754

4.474

4.772

3.947

4.540

3.530

5.362

3.589

3.607

3.270

165.044

124.566

5.3 Mathematical Model for MRR and SR

Using Regression Analysis Mathematical models were developed for MRR and SR with their indices.
The six decision variables concerned for this model were Current, Voltage, feed rate, Pressure, Electrolyte
concentration and flow of electrolyte.

6. Objectives
a)
b)

The various objectives under consideration for the formulation of model were
Maximization of MRR and
Improving SR (surface finish) and dimensional accuracy

6.1 Derived mathematical Models

Equation 1 and 2 are the mathematical models derived for calculation of MRR and SR.
MRR = Constant Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff
Where a,b,c,d,e,f are the indices for current, voltage, electrolyte flow, feed rate, Electrolyte concentration and
pressure . The formulated models are as follows
Mathematical Eqn for MRR is
MRR= 3.14695 A0.002050* B-0.01061875*C0.001225*D0.10975*E-

0.00345

*F-0.0104625
--- Eqn 1

Mathematical Eqn for SR is

SR= 2. 2425000 A0.0024500* B-0.0196875*C0.0212500*D0.0375000* E- 0.0022500*F0.0093750
-----------

Eqn 2
From the Eqns. 1 and 2, it was evident that the MRR was positively influenced by the independent
variables such as current, electrolyte flow and feed rate whereas negatively influenced by voltage, electrolyte
concentration and pressure. Moreover, the SR was observed to be positively influenced by current, electrolyte
flow, feed rate, and electrolyte concentration whereas it (SR) is negatively influenced by voltage and electrolyte
concentration.

7. Comparison Of Practical V/S Theoretical Values Of MRR

A sample set of Comparison of Actual value of MRR calculated by formula and corresponding values
derived by mathematical model is shown in Table 3 along with the calculated percentage error.

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A Study Of Influence Of Electrochemical Process Parameters

Table 3: Comparative assessment of the Practical v/s Theoretical values of MRR
Sr. No.

Values of Dependent Parameter (MRR)

By Mathematical Model
Actual Experimentation
5.591386235
5.277

Percentage
Error
5.9577

1
4.994041391

5.224

-4.4020

4.671671187

5.259

-11.1681

4.458360504

6.380

-30.1197

5.636831741

4.430

27.2423

4.987908572

5.586

-10.7070

2
3
4
5
6
7.1 Comparison of Practical v/s Theoretical values of SR
A sample set of Comparison of Actual value of SR calculated by formula and corresponding values
derived by mathematical model is shown in Table 4 with Percentage error.
Table 4: Comparative assessment of the Practical v/s Theoretical values of SR
Sr. No.

Values of Dependent Parameter (SR)

By Mathematical Model
Actual Experimentation
3.367250843
4.074

Percentage
Error
-17.3478

1
3.374170425

3.788

8.8501

3.384412557

3.775

-10.3467

5.2312324

5.591

-6.4348

3.368413193

3.626

-7.1039

3.350383833

3.306

1.3425

2
3
4
5
6

8. Percentage Error
Percentage error graphs for difference in actual and theoretical values of MRR and SR are plotted with
error on Y axis and readings on X axis. Fig 5 and 6 shows percentage error in actual and experimental values of
MRR and SR. It was evident from the graphs that the different test runs showed noticeable variation in the
percentage error of both the dependent parameters i.e. MRR and SR.

Fig 5. Percentage Error Graph for MRR

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A Study Of Influence Of Electrochemical Process Parameters

Fig 6. Percentage Error Graph for SR

9. Analysis of Variance or ANOVA

Analysis of Variance or ANOVA is a general technique that can be used to test the hypothesis that the
means among two or more groups are equal, under the assumption that the sampled populations are normally
distributed. The ANOVA procedure was used to test hypotheses that several means are same. In this study a
total of 32 different conditions were selected to study the Material Removal Rate and Surface Roughness. The
preliminary comparative assessment was carried out using the ANOVA procedure, followed by Post Hoc Test.
The Post Hoc Test was employed to check, which means (obtained from the MRR and SR values as a function
of 32 different runs. In addition to this, the Tukeys HSD test was also performed to determine the HSD i.e.
Honestly Significant Difference.
Anova and Post Hock Test
SS
304

N
3

Mean
3

Std.
Deviation
5.2540

Std.
Error
.09115

5.3193

.19453

95% Confidence Interval

for Mean
Lower
Upper
Bound
Bound
.05262
5.0276
.11231

4.8361

Minimum
5.4804

Maximum
5.16

5.8026

5.12

ANOVA Results for MRR

SS 304

Between
Groups
Within
Groups
Total

Sum of
Squares
50.491

df
31

Mean Square
1.629

3.532

64

.055

54.023

95

F
29.513

Significance.
.000

ANOVA Results for SR

SS 304

Between
Groups
Within
Groups
Total

Sum of
Squares
74.024

df
31

Mean
Square
2.388

8.062

64

.126

82.086

95

F
18.957

Sig.
.000

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A Study Of Influence Of Electrochemical Process Parameters

10. Results
It was observed that MRR was considerably affected by variation in current and SR decreased with
increase in current. Hence, it was apparent that irregular removal of material was more likely to occur at high
currents. The NaCl electrolyte was responsible for the lower SR and over-cut. Furthermore, MRR increased
with flow rate because there was more mobility of the ions from the metal to the solution, thereby increasing the
speed of the chemical reactions. Besides, there was a need to constantly remove the sludge formed during
machining, which was necessary as the sludge accumulation could have negatively affected the machining
efficiency of the ECM process. Results of entire experimentation work are as under:
A) Optimum value of MRR is as follows
Actual

By Model

Optimum Value of MRR

6.754 mg/min

5.654 mg/min

Corresponding value of SR for this MRR

3.5574 m

3.375 m

Values of various parameters for above said maximum value of MRR is Current- 175A,Voltage 18 volts, Flow
Rate 5Ltr/Min, Feed 0.3mm/min, Electrolyte concentration 150g/lit, Pressure 3.8 kg/cm2
B) Optimum value of SR is as follows
C)
Actual

By Model

Optimum Value of SR

3.259 m

3.46560 m

Corresponding value of MRR for this SR

5.343mg/min

5.7883mg/min

Values of various parameters for above said optimum value of SR is Current- 125A, Voltage-10 volt, Flow
Rate -7Ltr/Min, feed-0.4mm/min, Electrolyte concentration 150g/Lit, Pressure 3.4 kg/cm2
The mean MRR for SS304 varied between 3.6070 and 6.7540. Lowest MRR was observed for the run no. 32,
while the highest value was recorded for the run no. 28. The analysis of data following ANOVA indicated
significant difference in the mean values MRR and SR as a function of different conditions (set for different
runs).

11. Conclusion
The experimentation work consists of study the influence of process parameters on MRR and SR.
Process parameter such as machining voltage, feed, Current, Electrolyte concentration, electrolyte flow were
successfully controlled and were allowed to vary according to need. The different combinations of the
controlling factors were considered for the experimentation and to determine their (independent parameters)
influence on MRR and SR of SS304 work piece. The experimentation was carried out by varying all parameters
in combination as per orthogonal array L32. On the basis of the results obtained in this work, main conclusion
can be stated as the selection of appropriate values for the different parameters of ECM process is crucial to
achieve the efficiency and high quality of outcome from the process. Furthermore, similar experimental work
can be continued to determine optimum process conditions for ECM process for other metals. In addition to this
the difference between the theoretical and practical values of MRR and SR are also required (for other metals)
to give some thought, so that % error can be reduced.

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A Study Of Influence Of Electrochemical Process Parameters

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