Processing of Zirconium-Based Bulk Metallic Glass (BMG) Using Micro Electrical Discharge Machining (Micro-EDM)

A zirconium-based bulk metallic glass was machined by micro electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM) to demonstrate its feasibility under discharge energies typical of the microregime. Furthermore, input energies of 13.4 mu J and 0.9 mu J, and three different tool electrodes, namely, tungsten rod electrode, copper, and brass tube electrodes were employed to elucidate the effects of different machining conditions on the machined surface roughness, burr width, and tool wear. Experimental results showed that using the lower input energy reduced surface roughness by 43%-51% and burr width by 63%. Moreover, results also suggested that, at lower input energies, tube electrodes experienced lower tool wear ratios than rod electrodes.