This paper experimentally investigated the effects of electrical discharge machining processes parameters on fatigue resistance of 16MnCr5 alloy steel. 16MnCr5 alloy steels have good wear resistance. For this purpose, pulse current and pulse time have been considered as variables in the process. The selected EDM parameters were pulsed current (8, 16 and 32A) and pulse time (25, 100 and 400µs). Tests were conducted in full factorial mode and the R. R. Moore fatigue test machine was used to determine the fatigue life of components. The results show that by increasing the spark current and pulse duration 16MnCr5 alloy steel fatigue life is reduced. Respectively, the greatest resistance to fatigue achieved at current of 8A and pulse time of 25 microseconds and lowest resistance to fatigue achieved at pulse current of 32A and pulse time of 400 microseconds. Resistance to fatigue crack depends on cracks density on the surface of the workpiece and heat-affected zone, where the density of cracks increase resistance to fatigue will be reduced. Also in the specimens that have low resistance to fatigue, fatigue cracks are initiated from multiple points of the cross-section. It seems the reason for this phenomenon is the high surface roughness in the samples. EDM machining with high energy sparks can decrease the fatigue strength of 16MnCr5 by as much as factors of 3-5.

Keywords: Fatigue, Electrical discharge machining, Pulse time, Roughness

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