Parametric investigation using PSO algorithm while machining TixNiyCoz alloys

Abstract In this paper, the research has been focused on machining functional material using electro spark machining process. The Ti x Ni y Co z alloy in three different combinations of Ni and Co (Tix Niy Coz ) as (i) Ti50 Ni49 Co1 (ii) Ti50 Ni45 Co5 and (iii) Ti50 Ni40 Co10 ) were machined with copper electrode wire under electro spark method. The machined samples were subjected to surface characterization techniques using electron microscope, energy dispersive spectra analysis and confocal surface microscope. Also, the amount of material removed was mathematically calculated to infer the performance of the machining process. From the investigation, an increase in Co (wt. %) was found difficult to machine and the surface roughness is a maximum of 4.35 µm at spark gap and servo voltage (125 µs and 20 V) respectively. The particle swarm optimization technique is used to find the globally best solution. The process parameters for machining TixNiyCoz alloy found in the range of 116 – 122 µs and 22 to 32 V, spark bandgap and servo voltage respectively. Therefore, at a maximum pulse on time (spark gap 122 µs) and average servo voltage (30V) TixNiyCoz alloy can be machined with wire electro spark method for best results.