A heterogeneous composite consisting of near-nano ceramic clusters dispersed within a ductile matrix. The composite is formed through the high temperature compaction of a starting powder consisting of a core of ceramic nanoparticles held together with metallic binder. This core is clad with a ductile metal such that when the final powder is consolidated, the ductile metal forms a tough, near-zero contiguity matrix. The material is consolidated using any means that will maintain its heterogeneous structure.

A heterogeneous composite consisting of near-nano ceramic clusters dispersed within a ductile matrix. The composite is formed through the high temperature compaction of a starting powder consisting of a core of ceramic nanoparticles held together with metallic binder. This core is clad with a ductile metal such that when the final powder is consolidated, the ductile metal forms a tough, near-zero contiguity matrix. The material is consolidated using any means that will maintain its heterogeneous structure.

This fine hole electrical discharge machine applies voltage between a fine hole machining electrode and a workpiece to cause discharge, and machines a fine hole in the workpiece by using energy of the discharge. The fine hole electrical discharge machine comprises: a bendable guide tube having a hollow portion through which the electrode is inserted; and a tube holder that supports the leading end of the guide tube and allows the leading end of the guide tube to be inclined at a desired angle. Thus, even when the workpiece has a complicated shape, like a blisk, having a large number of turbine blades arranged in the circumferential direction, a fine hole can be machined by accurately positioning the electrode so as to orient the electrode toward a target machining point on a surface of the workpiece without involving interference with the workpiece.

This fine hole electrical discharge machine applies voltage between a fine hole machining electrode and a workpiece to cause discharge, and machines a fine hole in the workpiece by using energy of the discharge. The fine hole electrical discharge machine comprises: a bendable guide tube having a hollow portion through which the electrode is inserted; and a tube holder that supports the leading end of the guide tube and allows the leading end of the guide tube to be inclined at a desired angle. Thus, even when the workpiece has a complicated shape, like a blisk, having a large number of turbine blades arranged in the circumferential direction, a fine hole can be machined by accurately positioning the electrode so as to orient the electrode toward a target machining point on a surface of the workpiece without involving interference with the workpiece.

A wire electrical discharge machine includes a filter for removing machined swarf produced by electrical discharge machining from a working fluid, and a heating device for heating the working fluid stored inside the filter.

A wire electrical discharge machine includes a filter for removing machined swarf produced by electrical discharge machining from a working fluid, and a heating device for heating the working fluid stored inside the filter.

A heterogeneous composite consisting of near-nano ceramic clusters dispersed within a ductile matrix. The composite is formed through the high temperature compaction of a starting powder consisting of a core of ceramic nanoparticles held together with metallic binder. This core is clad with a ductile metal such that when the final powder is consolidated, the ductile metal forms a tough, near-zero contiguity matrix. The material is consolidated using any means that will maintain its heterogeneous structure.

A heterogeneous composite consisting of near-nano ceramic clusters dispersed within a ductile matrix. The composite is formed through the high temperature compaction of a starting powder consisting of a core of ceramic nanoparticles held together with metallic binder. This core is clad with a ductile metal such that when the final powder is consolidated, the ductile metal forms a tough, near-zero contiguity matrix. The material is consolidated using any means that will maintain its heterogeneous structure.

A method of polishing a surface of an object disposed within a gas chamber is provided. The method includes filling the gas chamber with a discharging medium to a predefined pressure, applying a voltage between an electrode and the surface, calibrating a height of the electrode relative to the surface so as to establish electrical breakdown threshold criteria, and scanning the electrode with respect to the surface so as to sequentially position the electrode over a plurality of locations on the surface, each location characterized by a surface error. When a respective location in the plurality of locations has a surface error that meets the electrical breakdown threshold criteria, electrical breakdown occurs, whereby the electrical breakdown results in a discharging pulse that polishes the surface.

A method for electrical discharge machining a workpiece includes the steps of: presenting an elongate electrode to the workpiece with a spark gap therebetween; flowing a dielectric fluid in the gap; eroding the workpiece by electrical discharge between the tip of the electrode and the workpiece; displacing the electrode in a direction aligned with the long axis of the electrode to maintain the gap as the electrode wears and the workpiece is eroded; and simultaneously with the displacement, producing vibratory movement of the electrode, the vibratory movement being aligned with the long axis of the electrode.