Electrochemical machining of carbides and borides

The use of high rate anodic dissolution (electrochemical machining) for shaping titanium carbide, zirconium carbide, titanium boride and zirconium boride has been investigated in 2N potassium nitrate and 3N sodium chloride under current densities ranging from 20 to 120 A/cm{sup 2} (corresponding to cutting rates of 0.3 to 1.8 mm/min). The dissolution stoichiometry for all these materials is independent of the current density in the range 20 to 120 A/cm{sup 2}. Both titanium and zirconium appear to dissolve in the +4 state, boron in the +3 state and the weight loss measurements indicate that carbon is oxidized to CO and CO{sub 2}. The current voltage curves permit to establish that, over the entire current density and flow range investigated, dissolution occurs in the transpassive state. The surface roughness obtained on TiC and ZrC is within 3-5 {micro}m and is independent of current density, applied voltage or flow rate

ELECTROCHEMICAL MACHINING OF CARBIDES AND BORIDES

The use of high rate anodic dissolution (electrochemical machining) for shaping titanium carbide, zirconium carbide, titanium boride and zirconium boride has been investigated in 2N potassium nitrate and 3N sodium chloride under current densities ranging from 20 to 120 A/cm{sup 2} (corresponding to cutting rates of 0.3 to 1.8 mm/min). The dissolution stoichiometry for all these materials is independent of the current density in the range 20 to 120 A/cm{sup 2}. Both titanium and zirconium appear to dissolve in the +4 state, boron in the +3 state and the weight loss measurements indicate that carbon is oxidized to CO and CO{sub 2}. The current voltage curves permit to establish that, over the entire current density and flow range investigated, dissolution occurs in the transpassive state. The surface roughness obtained on TiC and ZrC is within 3-5 {micro}m and is independent of current density, applied voltage or flow rate