Microstructure study on electro discharge deposited magnesium alloy with semi sintered and sintered electrode

In this research, electro discharge deposited ZE41A magnesium alloy with semi sintered and sintered electrode are studied. Parameters used in this study were compaction load, current and pulse on time and coating responses were material deposition rate (MDR), micro hardness (MH). For the electrical discharge coating (EDC), electrodes were prepared using tungsten carbide and copper powder by powder metallurgy method. It was observed that the MDR and MH increased when increased current and pulse on time in low compaction load for semi sintered and sintered electrode. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) were analysed in the deposited surface to study the microstructure and presence of electrode materials respectively. Comparative microstructure study on electrical discharge coating of ZE41A magnesium alloy with powder metallurgy semi sintered and sintered electrode was carried. Among two conditioned electrode, semi sintered electrode has the higher material deposition rate and micro hardness. Further increased the sintering temperature the deposition is formed with the large cracks and craters.