INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH IN AERONAUTICAL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ISSN (ONLINE): 2321-3051 Vol.3 Issue 10, October 2015 Pgs: 36-41 Nayan Patel 36 REVIEW ON IMPORTANCE OF ELECTRODES IN ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING PROCESS Nayan Patel 1 1 Research Scholar, patel.nayan8888@gmail.com Mechanical, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Technology, Vasad, Gujarat, India Abstract Electrical Discharge Machining is one of the non-conventional material removal process. It is widely used for manufacturing complex materials parts which are difficult to be machined by conventional manufacturing processes. It is based on thermoelectric energy between workpiece and electrode. Due to spark occurs in the gap between electrode and workpiece, metal is removed by melting and vaporizing. Workpiece and electrode must have electrically conductive to generate a spark. The performance of the EDM process is largely depends on the electrode. Electrode is considered as tool in EDM process. Selection of the electrode material plays vital role in the EDM process. Different electrode materials have different properties. Hence, the performance of the EDM process changes with different materials. Researchers have used different materials as electrode to investigate the effects of materials and to improve the performance of EDM process. This paper reviews the research work carried out in the field of materials and manufacturing methods for electrodes in EDM process. Keywords: EDM, Electrodes, Materials, Die sinking EDM 1. Introduction Electrical discharge machining is well established machining alternative for manufacturing geometrically complex parts from electrically conductive materials which are hard to be machined by conventional process. Any hard material which is electrically conductive can be easily machined by EDM process. Because of this advantage, it is widely used for manufacturing dies, automotive parts, surgical and aerospace components. There is no direct contact between tool electrode and workpiece. It eliminates chatter, vibrations and mechanical problems during machining. Sinker EDM consists of electrode and workpiece submerged into dielectric fluid such as kerosene or oil. Power supply is connected to electrode and workpiece. As electrode approaches the workpiece, dielectric breakdown occurs which forms plasma channel and a small spark jumps. This spark hits one at time. Sparks occurs in large number at asperities. When base metal is eroded, spark gap increases. Electrodes lowered automatically by servo control system in EDM. Electrode is considered as toll in EDM process. The main role of electrode is to convey electrical current to allow erosion of workpiece. The performance of EDM process is largely dependent on electrode material and manufacturing process. The ideal electrode shows highest MRR and lowest tool wear. 2. Materials and Manufacturing Methods used for EDM electrodes 2.1 Materials used for EDM electrodes