Investigation of the impact of WEDM modes on surface morphology, roughness and cracking of zirconium, niobium and vanadium

Zirconium, niobium and vanadium are the high costly refractory metals that cause the topicality of economically processing and waste minimization during manufacture the products from such metals. The purpose of this work is to establish the quality of the surface layers after wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) of Zr, Nb and V. The morphology and crack formation in the surface layers of zirconium, niobium и vanadium was investigated by SEM and profilometry methods. The results of the WEDM regimes influence on morphology, roughness and crack formation in the surface of Zr, Nb and V are presented. It is established that refractory metals are processed more difficult than steel, copper and aluminum alloys, although the morphology of the treated surfaces are practically no different. (paper)