Electrochemical micro-milling of niobium carbide (NbC) cermet with and without laser assistance

Niobium carbide (NbC) is a novel cermet material which is a potential material for cutting tool inserts and moulds as it has an excellent combination of hardness (comaparable to WC) and toughness. It is difficult to machine this multiphase material with conventional processes due to its high hardness and extreme mechanical properties. Therefore, the machinability of nickel bonded NbC cermet was evaluated experimentally with electrochemical micro-milling process, with and without laser assistance. Several channels were machined on the samples to study the process behaviour. The machined channels were observed under a confocal microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) along with analysis of machining current to provide insights on machinability of the NbC cermet. It was concluded that NbC can be effectively machined with electrochemical micromachining process. Additionally, laser assistance to electrochemical micromachining process enhances the electrochemical dissolution behaviour of the multiphase NbC cermet.

ISBN:978-0-9957751-9-0

Publication year:2021

Accessibility:Embargoed