Machining Titamium

[miljnor]

Haven't machined Ti in a long long time. Anyone care to give me some speeds and feeds on a lathe for Facing and OD turning then a Top notch .062 Grooving tool?

would much appreciate it!

6AL-4V Titanium

[DMF_TomB]

web sites
turning
timeout
.milling
timeout
.more info
Titanium Alloy Ti 6Al-4V

[RCaffin]

Ti alloy machines very nicely IF done correctly. Beautiful finish possible. Whereas you might go flat out for plastics and aluminium, you need to go very differently for Ti. The big danger with Ti is getting it hot and/or work-hardening it.

So you need to cut more slowly but more aggressively. Also keeping the cutter cool (cold) with either coolant or air blast (with or without mist) is essential. Do NOT let the cutter idle along doing very little: the friction will really stuff things up.

I have used both HSS-Co and carbide. Both need to be sharp!

Cheers

[miljnor]

Hey DMF those timeout links don't work correctly can you tell me where to look on that sight? I am muddling through their sight but its a lot of info.

Thanks RCaffin but I was hoping more for numbers as I have machined it before but don't have those numbers anymore, so I'm not looking for advice just a starting point so as to shortcut the process of burning **** up.

[RCaffin]

Thanks RCaffin but I was hoping more for numbers as I have machined it before but don't have those numbers anymore, so I'm not looking for advice just a starting point so as to shortcut the process of burning **** up.

I forget!
Looking through my old files I found the following: Mach3, metric settings, Ti sheet, 4 mm carbide cutter, feed of 20 and spin of 1500 rpm.
The feedrate of 20 mm/min is, I THINK, quite a bit too low. I think I was overiding it upwards. Just not too sure how far upwards.
Look up surface feet/min tables to get a better idea.
The problem with carbide cutters is that the optimal rate is just short of breaking them! :-)

BUT: Keep the chips clear (no bumps) and keep it cool!

Cheers

[DMF_TomB]

Hey DMF those timeout links don't work correctly can you tell me where to look on that sight? I am muddling through their sight but its a lot of info.

Titanium Alloy Ti 6Al-4V
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down the page to where it has machinabilty table 1 and 2 links
i attached table 1 on turning