Performance analysis of electrical discharge machining parameters on RENE 80 nickel super alloy using statistical tools

In this paper, the main focus is to study the effect of process parameters of electrical discharge machining on RENE80 nickel super alloy in terms of metal removal rate, surface roughness and radial overcut. The responses of the parameters are analysed using statistical tools such as signal to noise ratio and analysis of variance. Further, multi-response optimisation of maximising metal removal rate and minimising surface roughness and radial overcut is solved using grey relational analysis. It is found that peak current and pulse on time contribute significantly to multi-response optimisation. The results of confirmation experiments indicate improvements in metal removal rate, surface roughness and radial overcut as 16.03%, 34.66% and 10.17% respectively. The surface topography study is done to reveal the machined surface characteristics. Finally, regression models are prepared for these responses and they are found to be satisfactory. Copyright © 2014 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.