Experimental Investigation of White Layer Formation on Machining Silicon Steel in PMEDM Process

The silicon steel can be easily machined using electrical discharge machining process due to its higher strength. Since the white layer thickness and propoerties can affect the surface performance measures in the process, it is important to investigate the effects of process parameters on white layer. In the present study, an experimental investigation was made to analyze the effects of process parameters on white layer formation while machining silicon steel using powder mixed dielectric medium in such process. It was inferred that powder mixed insulating medium could produce lower thickness of white layer with the uniform distribution over the machined surface owing to the higher thermal and electrical conductivity of the powder particles. The lower micro cracks were observed in the white layer region in electrical discharge machining process with powder mixed dielectric medium.