Optimization of cryogenic cooled EDM process parameters using grey relational analysis

This paper presents an experimental investigation on cryogenic cooling of liquid nitrogen (LN2) copper electrode in the electrical dis- charge machining (EDM) process. The optimization of the EDM process parameters, such as the electrode environment (conventional electrode and cryogenically cooled electrode in EDM), discharge current, pulse on time, gap voltage on material removal rate, electrode wear, and surface roughness on machining of AlSiCp metal matrix composite using multiple performance characteristics on grey rela- tional analysis was investigated. The L18 orthogonal array was utilized to examine the process parameters, and the optimal levels of the process parameters were identified through grey relational analysis. Experimental data were analyzed through analysis of variance. Scan- ning electron microscopy analysis was conducted to study the characteristics of the machined surface.