INFLUENCE OF WIRE ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING PARAMETERS ON THE SURFACE LAYER QUALITY OF 10KH17N13M2 (AISI 316L ANALOG) STAINLESS STEEL FOR SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

Abstract

The relevance of this study is driven by the necessity to enhance the operational reliability and biological safety of surgical instruments that come into contact with bone tissues. Traditional machining methods for corrosion-resistant steels often lead to work hardening and degraded surface quality, making the application of electrophysical processing methods highly promising. The objective of the work is to establish the correlation between the energy parameters of wire electrical discharge machining and the surface layer quality of 10Kh17N13M2 (AISI 316L analog) austenitic steel.

The research methods included scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Vickers microhardness testing, and profilometry for surface roughness evaluation. The results indicated that varying the pulse regimes critically affects the structural integrity of the surface. It was established that low-intensity regimes form a defective layer characterized by microcracks and reduced microhardness (180–191 HV). The application of an optimized regime (8 A current) enabled the formation of a homogeneous modified layer without signs of delamination, featuring a stable microhardness of 198–204 HV and a reduction in roughness ($Ra$ to 1.2–1.5 µm).

The scientific novelty lies in determining the specific conditions for "white layer" formation that prevent its thermal fragmentation. The practical significance of the work consists in the justification of technological regulations for manufacturing bone holders, ensuring high corrosion resistance and durability of the instruments. Future research directions are associated with studying the impact of electrical discharge machining on the fatigue strength of instruments under cyclic loading conditions.