Electrochemical Machining (ECM) works based on the principle of material removal by ionic dissolution. In ECM, the material is removed by electrochemical reactions in the presence of an electrolyte. The primary mechanism is the dissolution of material into ions, which are then carried away by the electrolyte.
- Chemical corrosion is not the primary mechanism in ECM, although it is a part of the process.
- Ionic dissolution is the correct mechanism, as it describes the primary process where metal ions are removed from the workpiece.
- Etching is a different process, not the primary mechanism in ECM.
- Spark erosion is used in Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), not ECM.
Therefore, the correct answer is (2), Ionic dissolution.