Effect of short electric arc milling discharge machining on the processing performance of two-dimensional C/SiC composites.

Many scholars have experimentally investigated the processing performance of 2D C/SiC composites, but conventional machining methods cause serious tool wear and display high costs and low efficiencies. These issues affect the efficient and high-quality machining of 2D C/SiC composites. Short electric arc milling (SEAM) is a new machining method that is useful for processing difficult-to-cut materials. Here, the machinability and material removal mechanisms were studied by processing 2D C/SiC composites using SEAM. First, the removal mechanism was studied by a high-speed camera, discharge waveform, and pulsed discharge crater characteristics. Second, graphite and tubular copper electrodes were used to identify a more suitable electrode material. Finally, response surface methodology was used to study the effect of pulse discharge parameters on the surface characteristics of the workpiece. According to the study, the copper electrode was most suitable for the short arc milling of 2D C/SiC composites. When machined by SEAM, the 2D C/SiC composite material ejected large amounts of gases and C fibers. The depth-to-diameter ratio of the resulting discharge craters along the parallel surface of carbon fibers was larger than that of those on the vertical surface. The pulsed discharge parameters significantly impacted the processing of 2D C/SiC composites. SEAM formed defects such as micro-craters, holes, microcracks, fibers, and droplets on the surface of 2D C/SiC composites. This work provides a theoretical basis and practical reference for efficient, high-quality, and high-precision SEAM for 2D C/SiC composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]