Electrolyte for Electrochemical Machining

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrolyte and a process for the electrochemical machining of metallic components, wherein the electrolyte comprises a protic solvent.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . An electrolyte for the electrochemical machining of metallic components, wherein the electrolyte has a proportion of a protic solvent. 
     
     
         14 . The electrolyte as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the average proportion of the protic solvent in the electrolyte is in the range from 0.01 to 80% by volume. 
     
     
         15 . The electrolyte as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the protic solvent is a protic polar solvent. 
     
     
         16 . The electrolyte as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the protic solvent comprises at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group, a carboxylate group, a hydroxyl group, and an amino group. 
     
     
         17 . The use of an electrolyte as claimed in  claim 13  for the electrochemical machining of metallic components. 
     
     
         18 . An electrochemical machining process for machining at least one metallic component, wherein a protic solvent is added to an electrolyte. 
     
     
         19 . The machining process as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the protic solvent is added as a function of a measured concentration of the solvent in the electrolyte. 
     
     
         20 . The machining process as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the component to be machined is subjected beforehand to precleaning. 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for the electrochemical machining of at least one component, wherein at least one metering device for addition of a protic solvent to an electrolyte is provided. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein conduits and transport means which form a circulation system for the electrolyte are provided. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein at least one measurement facility for measuring at least one property of the electrolyte is provided. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein a control facility which is connected to the metering device and the measurement facility are provided.