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This study investigates the performance of deep cryogenically treated brass (CuZn25Al5) electrodes in the die-sink EDM process. Two different cryogenic treatment durations, 6 h and 12 h, were applied to 8 mm diameter electrodes, and their effects were compared to untreated electrodes. The machining tests were conducted under moderate and aggressive conditions. In the machining tests, the 6-h cryo-treated electrode exhibited a 16.8% increase in material removal rate (MRR) under moderate conditions and a 19.7% increase under aggressive conditions compared to the reference electrode. The 12-h cryo-treated electrode showed similar MRR values to the reference electrode but improved tool wear resistance by 9.4% under moderate conditions. The kerf angle was minimized, indicating better hole verticality, in the 6-h cryo-treated electrode group. The improvement in machining performance was attributed to the enhancement in electrical conductivity of the electrodes, which increased by 28% for the 6-h cryo-treated electrode and 20% for the 12-h cryo-treated electrode. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed shifts in peak positions and possible phase transformations due to cryogenic treatment. Surface roughness measurements showed improved surface conditions in the cryo-treated electrodes under aggressive conditions. The results indicate that cryogenic treatment enhances MRR, reduces tool wear, and improves surface quality in die-sink EDM. These improvements are attributed to increased electrical conductivity and changes in the internal structure of the brass electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the machinability of AISI H13 hot work tool steel with a hardness of 54 HRC, which has been deep cryogenically treated using the electro-erosion machining technique, one of the unconventional manufacturing methods. The machinability parameters used in the study were determined as current (4, 8 and 12 A), pulse time (200, 300 and 400 µs) and three different electrodes (Copper, Graphite and Tuncop). The experimental design was designed according to the Taguchi L 27 model, and machinability tests were carried out to examine the results obtained from the experimental study both experimentally and statistically. When the literature was examined, it was seen that cryogenic treatment was generally applied to electrode materials, and only surface roughness and material wear amounts were examined as output parameters. The original value of the study is the interpretation of the results by applying cryogenic treatment to the test material and exploring the surface roughness and material wear amount, as well as the hole diameters and criterion diameters formed on the treated surfaces after the EDM process. As a result of the study, it was observed that the surface roughness value, the hole diameter, the amount of material wear, and the crater diameter increased with the increase in ampere and impact time. The lowest surface roughness value was 2.266 µm in the graphite electrode material at 4 amps and 200 µs impact time and the highest wear amount was realized as 0.555 g in the copper electrode material 12 amps and 400 µs impact time. The smallest hole diameter was 12.254 mm with a tuncop electrode with a pulse duration of 4 amps and 200 µs, and the lowest crater diameter was 127.301 µm with a graphite electrode at a current of 4 amps and a pulse duration of 200 µs. When the signal-to-noise ratios were examined, the optimum machining parameters for surface roughness, hole diameter, material wear amount, and crater diameter were determined as A 2 B 1 C 1 , A 1 B 3 C 3 , A 3 B 1 C 1 , and A 3 B 1 C 1 , respectively. When the ANOVA results are examined, it is determined that the most effective parameter for the surface roughness is of the current value with 86.54%, the most effective parameter for the hole diameter is the electrode material with 85.20%, the most effective parameter for material wear amount is the electrode material with 45.67% and the most effective parameter for the crater diameter is current value with 75.35%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]