Some Considerations to Machining Characteristics of Insulating Ceramics-Towards Practical Use in Industry-

Machining of insulating ceramics can be realized in EDM by using the assisting electrode method. After a tool electrode cuts through the assisting electrode, a carbon layer covers the ceramicsʹ surface during EDM. This carbon layer, formed from the decomposition of the hydrocarbon working oil, enhances the ceramics surfaceʹs conductivity. In this paper, machining phenomena of insulating ceramics are considered towards practical use in industry. Several kinds of insulating ceramics and assisting electrode materials are investigated under considerations of various machining characteristics; and high speed machining in W-EDM is carried out under conditions of lower tension than usual.