machining titanium

[gaser25]

Just replaced my fadal vmc40 which is for sale with a 1997 haas vf4. I would like to machine some titanium parts. I hear its a bit tricky. Any input would be appreciated.

[DSL PWR]

Be carefull, as titanium chips are very flamable, and putting water on them dosn't put the fire out.

[grinderdust]

I could be way off here but I think magnesium is the metal with the flammable chips. Titanium, I believe is stable under normal contitions. Please do your research. I would hate to be responsible for someone getting hurt. I did some machining of titanium maybe 15 years ago with no problem. On the lathe I had no problems other than stringy tough chips. On the mill you have to use proper speeds and feeds and sharp, high quality cutters to get good results. Also a good sturdy machine tool and rigid setup are essential. I guess that last part is pretty obvious.

[rapidtraverse]

It cuts like Al. at the right surface feed. Try 35.

[dertsap]

treat it like you would stainless
keep in mind if it work hardens then your going to have some fancy cutting to do , insert mills and carbide endmills would be a smart bet .
If your drilling , it may be a good idea to look at carb drills as well , you can take a heavier cut and there would be less chance of work hardening , if an hss drill dulls while cutting youll be in trouble

[SWPM]

I have been cutting alot of titanium lately and found that using a light radial cut (.030"-.040") with the deepest depth of cut possible on the part(within reason no more than 2.0"). I use coated high helix carbide e/ms and the tools will last alot longer using a chip load around .015" per flute and a surface footage of around 175 ror roughing and down to .010 per flute for finihsing. I know this sounds kind of out there but ive had alot of luck so far with this.
The most important thing is quality tools.

[mxtras]

Titanium does burn. Make absolutely certain that you have a D type extinguisher handy - one for flammable metals. I don't think an ABC will do anything should you light up titanium.

The above comments are accurate. It machines very much like aluminum - at least the alloys I am familiar with do.

Scott

[dpuch]

A quick google turned up http://www.titanium.com/titanium/tech_manual/tech16.cfm which has the fire information.

It would be better if you got the information from your supplier for the alloy your using though.

Dale

[bookwurm99]

Originally Posted by mxtras Titanium does burn. Make absolutely certain that you have a K type extinguisher handy

i believe the right extinguisher is a D type not K. K is for combustible cooking.

bookwurm99

edit:sp

[ConKbot of Doom]

Originally Posted by mxtras Titanium does burn. Make absolutely certain that you have a K type extinguisher handy - one for flamable metals. I don't think an ABC will do anything should you light up titanium. The above comments are accurate. It machines very much like aluminum - at least the common alloys do. Scott

D class extinguishers are for metals, K class are for grease fires.

Definitely either use a D-class or dont use one at all. Water, CO2, and in some cases, even sand can make magnesium fires worse, not 100% sure, but I dont see why metal fires would be so different.

[davereagan]

I can't believe you guys are saying Titanium machines like aluminum. Are you talking about commercially pure titanium? There is a world of difference between that (40,000 psi tensile strength) and 6AL-4V. Here's a hint: 4% vanadium means it has more vanadium than a premium tap. 125 sfm for face milling is moving right along. I have machined it until the inserts dulled and I was making sparks. I have no knowledge that it burns. Magnesium is knwon for burning and putting it out is quite difficult and counter intuitive. I've heard of a new "triple five" alloy that is even harder to machine than the standard 6-4 alloy. If you quote this at 5 times higher than making the same part in mild steel, you are badly underestimating it. It is one humbling material. I went through TiALN coated inserts like they were PEZ candy. The guy who mentioned profile milling knows what he's talking about.

Dave

[dertsap]

flamability of titanium shouldn t be a problem
i ran parts before that we run a 5/8 -11 tap ,normally most of the order was ss and some were titanium , we used the same prog but we had to slow down the speeds and feeds for the titanium parts,on one particular order i forgot to slow the 5/8 tap speed from 550 rpm to 400 ,the tap was glowing orange when it came out of the part and it lit the cutting oil in flames ,air nozzle save my butt , no titanium set fire and there was a lot of chip in that machine ,

the threaded hole was so hard it was near impossible to deburr , noone will ever strip that baby