High Speed Endmilling of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

Abstract

The high speed endmilling of Ti-6Al-4V alloy is investigated. Cutting temperature was measured by the tool-work thermocouple method, and the wear of the tool against the real cutting length was evaluated. The temperature increased in power law of cutting speed, feed, and radial depeth of cut as can be observed in turning. Wear rate of the tool was conastant below 550°C because the wear dominated by the abrassive wear. However, the rate increased linearly against the temperature in log-log plot beyond 550°C because the wear was influenced of the thermal wear. From the viewpoint of the cutting temperature, high speed endmilling of the alloy is recomended where the high accuracy, and the good surface finish is needed, while the low speed, high feed and large depth of cut is recommended when large chip removal rate is the top priority.