The document summarizes research into the anomalous influence of polarity in sink EDM of titanium alloys. It was found that using a positive tool polarity resulted in virtually no material removal for Ti and Ti6Al4V alloys, but not for γ-TiAl alloy. For positive polarity, a thick continuous layer of TiC formed on the surface, inhibiting material removal. In contrast, with negative polarity, the TiC layer was thinner and intermittent and higher energy density allowed for greater removal rates. The source of carbon for TiC formation was found to be the hydrocarbon oil working fluid rather than the graphite electrode.