Glossary

What are transonic airfoils, and what is the active clearance control? Check out our technical dictionary and find out more about engine technology terms – from active clearance control to velocity triangle.

Electrochemical metal removal (ECM) Eddy-current inspection Electro-discharge machining (EDM) Efficiency Electroless nickel plating Electropolishing Engine 3E Engine price Enthalpy reaction rate Etching (etch inspection) Etch inspection Exhaust jet

Electrochemical metal removal (ECM)

ECM is a suitable method for generating complicated shapes, such as blade geometries for blisk stages. EC machined components are, for example, used in the stage 3 low-pressure compressor of the EJ200 engine. In the process the material is removed electrochemically by anodic dissolution and immediate precipitation of the metal ions as hydroxides.

The ECM process offers the following major advantages:

- high process safety with low tool wear
- surface finishes that nearly meet drawing requirements

The advantages of ECM become apparent in particular with nickel-base materials which are difficult to machine.