Surface micro and nanofinishing using pulse electrochemical machining process assisted by electrode ultrasonic vibrations

Electrochemical machining (ECM) is an important technology in machining difficult-to-cut materials and to shape sculptured surfaces without tool wear and without inducing residual stress. Such advantages are the reason that ECM is a very good alternative for finishing machining of sculptured surfaces initially machined by other methods. In the paper experimental tests results and analysis of phenomena occurring into interelectrode gap will be presented. In order to reach surface roughness parameter Ra<100nm special attention is taken to: pulse electrochemical machining (PECM), pulse electrochemical machining assisted by electrode ultrasonic vibrations (USPECM) and machining in mixture of electrolyte and abrasive powder (APECM).