Cutting Force and Surface Finish Analysis of Machining Additive Manufactured Titanium Alloy Ti-6Al-4V

Abstract

In this paper, the effect of machining parameters such as cutting speed and feed rate on cutting forces and surface roughness during turning of wrought and additive manufactured titanium alloys Ti-6Al-4V (selective laser melting) was studied. It was found that high cutting speeds and feed rates resulted in high cutting forces and poor surface finish. It was also found that higher cutting forces were required for machining selective laser melted titanium alloy (SLM Ti-6Al-4V) as compared to that of conventionally produced wrought Ti-6Al-4V due to the higher strength and hardness of SLM Ti-6Al-4V. After machining, surface roughness of additive manufactured titanium alloys was found to be low as compared to wrought Ti-6Al-4V because of the high hardness and brittle characteristics of additive manufactured titanium alloys.