Publikacja o nanokrystalicznej miedzi na elektrody do procesu EDM

The NL-1 research team has published the results of applied research on nanocrystalline copper electrodes for use in electrical discharge machining (EDM), which in 2025 received recognition in two industrial research competitions: Technical Achievement of the Year (SIMP) and Polish Product of the Future (PARP).

The research focused on the development and optimization of plastic deformation of high-purity M1E copper using a non-conventional hydrostatic extrusion (HE) process, aimed at improving the properties of electrodes used in EDM. Optimization of the HE process (accumulated strain ε = 2.51) resulted in the formation of an ultrafine-grained structure with an average grain size of d₂ ≈ 370 nm, leading to a significant increase in mechanical strength (UTS ≈ 400 MPa) while maintaining very high electrical conductivity (~99% IACS).

Due to the application-oriented nature of the research, the HE-processed copper was tested under industrial EDM conditions. Wear tests demonstrated a substantial reduction in electrode wear (30–90%) compared to non-deformed copper, along with an improvement in surface quality of up to 25%.

Detailed results are available in the publication:
Skiba, J.; Kulczyk, M.; Przybysz-Gloc, S.; Skorupska, M.; Kobus, M.; Nowak, K. Industrial-Scale Copper Wear Reduction in Electrical Discharge Machining Through Hydrostatic Extrusion. Materials 2026, 19, 1314.