Electrochemical machining using ultrapure water

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Electrochemical machining was interpreted as chemical interactions between a substrate and electrolytic ions in chemical solutions. However, we have suggested that OH^- ions in chemical solutions contribute to an electrochemical machining process, and proved for the first time that ultrapure water itself can machine materials. The proposed machining process does not produce any chemical that pollutes the machined surface. Further researches to make the machining process practicable are required urgently, and the results mentioned below have been obtained.We have developed an efficient catalyst to make the density of OH^- ions in ultrapure water 1,000,000 times as high as that ultrapure water without the catalyst. Machining experiments with the catalyst have demonstrated that it is possible to machine Cu, Fe and Mo at the rate of 〜20 μm/min under the electrolytic current density of 〜2A/cm^2, and obtain a flat Cu surface with the surface roughness of 10 nm. Furthermore, machining experiments in which a sample acts as cathode have been performed. It has demonstrated for the fist time that both Si and Al are possible to be machined.