A review on material removal mechanism in electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM) and possibilities to enhance the material removal rate

• Various mechanisms of material removal in ECDM process have been discussed.
• Various influencing parameters and their range on MRR have been discussed.
• Mechanisms of gas film formation and effects of various parameters are highlighted.
• Existing problems, their possible solutions and research possibilities illustrated.
• Some interesting methods to enhance the performance of the process are suggested.

The concept of electrochemical discharge machining (ECDM), also known as electrochemical spark machining (ECSM), was presented for the first time in 1968. Since then, this technology remains as research topic and was never explained seriously for industrial applications. The ECDM is a non-traditional machining technology used for machining of electrically non-conducting materials like glass, ceramics, quartz, etc. The literature reveals that the concept of mechanism of material removal in this machining process is not yet understood well. However, phenomena involved in the material removal needs to be investigated well in order to improve the process. In this paper, the concept of mechanism of material removal in ECDM is reviewed till date; scopes for further research have been identified. Possible future efforts to enhance the material removal rate in ECDM are also discussed.