Experimental investigation of the effects of applying external magnetic field around gap distance in wire electrical discharge machining of Tungsten Carbide

Abstract Tungsten carbide (WC) is a unique material in terms of high hardness, melting temperature, thermal corrosion, and wear and chemical resistance. This hard material is mainly used in machining industries as tools. The machining of tungsten carbide is impossible by traditional methods, due to its high hardness, so the modern machining methods such as wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) are used. In this research, WEDM process along with external alternating magnetic field which was applied to the machining gap was used for machining tungsten carbide cobalt (WC-Co) ISO K20 workpieces and the effect of pulse on time, wire offset from the work piece and the intensity of the magnetic field on the material removal rate, the machined surface roughness, and the machined surface integrity, were investigated. The obtained results indicate an increase in the material removal rate, and a decrease in the roughness of the machined surfaces, and the micro-cracks created on the surface of the machined parts by application of an external alternating magnetic field in WEDM process.