Micro machining of different steels with closed electrolytic free jet

Electrochemical Machining (ECM) with closed electrolytic free jet (Jet-ECM) is an innovative procedure in micro manufacturing technology which is based on anodic dissolution of metallic work pieces. Main advantage of Jet-ECM in comparison to other ECM processes is the restriction of the electric current to a limited area by the jet. Micro structured surfaces and complex three-dimensional micro geometries can be machined by help of different nozzle movements. In this study the Jet Electrochemical Machining is used to generate micro cavities in different steels to investigate the influence of the material properties on the removal process. Current efficiency, machined geometry and surface properties of the processed areas were analyzed and compared.