Testing of carbon fibres as tool electrodes in micro electrical discharge machining

The aim of this paper is to present the outcomes of the experiments concerning micro electrical discharge machining with the use of carbon fibres as tool electrodes. Key properties of carbon fibres are discussed and the procedure of such electrodes fabrication is also described. Conducted tests indicate promising perspectives for machining with such electrodes by means of shaping microcavities, but at the same time they reveal problems. A longitudinal machining as well as experiments with different electric parameters were presented. Finally, the influence of discharge energy is being considered.