Analysis of an Electrochemical Machining Process for Particle Reinforced Aluminum-Matrix Composites

M. Hackert-Oschätzchen [1], N. Lehnert [1], C. Scherf [2], A. Martin [1], M. Penzel [1], A. Schubert [3],
[1] Professorship Micromanufacturing Technology, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany
[2] Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
[3] Professorship Micromanufacturing Technology, Technische Universität Chemnitz, Chemnitz, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology, Chemnitz, Germany
Published in 2016

At the Technische Universität Chemnitz several academic institutions work on aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) within the Collaborative Research Centre SFB 692 HALS. Besides the development and analysis of these materials one main task is finishing machining of AMCs by an electrochemical machining (ECM) process. One possible method of ECM is electrochemical machining with continuous electrolytic free jet (Jet-ECM). Within this study a 2D axisymmetric model was developed which is representing the Jet-ECM of a SiC reinforced aluminum matrix. The multiphysics simulation leads to a better understanding of the dissolution characteristics. It can be observed that in consequence of a local maximum of the current density in the area of the particle surface a higher material dissolution occurs.