KNOWLEDGE

CONDUCTORS

By conductors we mean those materials that are electrically well-conductive. Conductive materials are suitable for machining using spark erosion. The melting point of the material is the most important parameter, which determines the machining speed.

Materials suitable for spark erosion

To spark-erode the material, the electrical resistance must not exceed 100 ?cm. Materials that meet this requirement are, for example, iron alloys (such as steel), copper, aluminum, and carbide. Ceramic materials are not suitable for spark erosion due to their high insulation value. By adding electrically conductive phases, ceramic composites are created, which are then suitable for spark erosion. However, a disadvantage is that mechanical properties, such as hardness, are reduced.