Investigation of Lorentz force–induced flow of NaNO3-electrolyte for magnetic field–assisted electrochemical machining

Pulsed electrochemical machining offers great potential to meet growing demands on components like miniaturization, efficiency, and functionalization. Current research activities show that the electrochemical process can be influenced by a superimposed magnetic field. While the effects of most process parameters such as pulse regimes, flow conditions, and cathode material selection are well understood, the influence of magnetic fields is still difficult to estimate for a targeted process design. Obtaining a better understanding of the magnetic field–assisted electrochemical machining process and achieving a foundation for later process simulations are the objectives of the present work where we focus on the influence of the Lorentz force in a NaNO 3 -electrolyte. Therefore, an experimental setup was designed in which the magnetic field is arranged perpendicular to the electric field. To reduce the influence of the electrochemical reaction on the electrolyte flow field, a large distance between the stainless-steel electrodes was chosen. The resulting flow in the initially resting fluid is mainly induced by the Lorentz force. This electrolyte flow is studied by particle image velocimetry and is modelled by magnetohydrodynamic and multiphase simulations. Based on the experimental results, the simulations are validated. In the future, the simulation approach will be pursued, e.g., for the electrochemical machining with pulsed electric current and oscillating cathode.