Influence of electrical discharge machining on sliding friction and wear of WC-Ni cemented carbide

► Tribology of WC-8 wt%Ni sliding against WC-6 wt%Co depends on surface finish. ► Wire-EDM involved higher friction and wear compared to grinding. ► This could be linked to measurements of flexural strength and stress state of WC. ► Thermal impact of EDM caused tensile residual surface stress and reduced strength. ►Sequential wire-EDM up to finest step enhanced wear resistance significantly.