Modelling effect of magnetic field on material removal in dry electrical discharge machining

One of the reasons for increased material removal rate in magnetic field assisted dry electrical discharge machining (EDM) is confinement of plasma due to Lorentz forces. This paper presents a mathematical model to evaluate the effect of external magnetic field on crater depth and diameter in single-and multiple-discharge EDM process. The model incorporates three main effects of the magnetic field, which include plasma confinement, mean free path reduction and pulsating magnetic field effects. Upon the application of an external magnetic field, Lorentz forces that are developed across the plasma column confine the plasma column. Also, the magnetic field reduces the mean free path of electrons due to an increase in the plasma pressure and cycloidal path taken by the electrons between the electrodes. As the mean free path of electrons reduces, more ionization occurs in plasma column and eventually an increase in the current density at the inter-electrode gap occurs. The model results for crater depth and its diameter in single discharge dry EDM process show an error of 9%–10% over the respective experimental values.