Abstract: Short electric arc-electrochemical compound machining (SEACM) is a new type of composite machining, which uses short arc discharge for material removal and the bottom gap electrochemical action for surface finishing. Different electrode materials have different material characteristics, which will directly affect machining performance, workpiece surface quality, electrode loss and dimensional accuracy of composite machining. This article uses the aluminum, graphite, stainless steel, red copper as electrode material, to explore the influence of different electrodes on 304 stainless steel in short electric arc-electrochemical compound machining mode, from the material removal rate (MRR), relative tool electrode wear ratio (RTWR), the surface roughness (SA), surface macroscopic and microscopic morphology, etc. The results show that the red copper electrode has higher material removal rate, lower relative tool electrode wear ratio, better surface quality and thinner recasting layer, so it is more suitable for composite machining electrode material, which provides a theoretical basis for the subsequent selection of electrode materials in short electric arc-electrochemical compound machining mode.