Process for electrochemical machining
AssigneeFramatome
InventorsPierre Guillermier, Alain Blocquel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrolyte is circulated between the surface to be machined, raised to an anode potential, and a tool electrode (9') raised to a cathode potential. The electrolyte contains lithium nitrate as a unique active product with a concentration of between 20 g/l and 2350 g/l and preferably between 50 g/l and 250 g/l. The process can be applied to the machining of the surface of any metallic component and in particular to the machining of the internal surface of tubular components (5) such as penetrations in the vessel bottom or closure head of a nuclear reactor; in this case the electrochemical machining cell consists of a cylindrical tool electrode (9') placed inside the component to be machined.
Claims5
Process for electrochemical machining with removal of substance of a piece made of metallic materials, said process comprising the steps of:
- (a) circulating an electrolyte in contact with a surface of a piece to be machined, said electrolyte containing lithium nitrate as a sole active component;
- (b) raising said surface to an anode potential;
- (c) placing a tool electrode raised to a cathode potential in a vicinity of said surface such that a space is maintained between said surface and said tool electrode:
- (d) passing a current between said tool electrode and said surface, for machining said surface;
- and
- (e) rinsing said space between said surface and said tool electrode as well as said surface by circulating a rinsing liquid in said space after machining said surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.