Machinability study of α/β and β titanium alloys in different heat treatment conditions

Abstract

In this research, the effect of heat treatment on the machinability of α/β (Ti54M) and β (Ti10-2-3) titanium alloys was investigated experimentally for the as-received, annealed and solution-treated plus aged conditions. Forces and temperature, that is, life of the cutting tool, are mainly influenced by variation in cutting speed and feed rate; therefore, the depth of cut was maintained constant, while cutting speed and feed were varied. In solution-treated plus aged heat treatment condition, both the titanium alloys showed poor machinability in terms of specific forces, coefficient of friction and temperature. The poor machinability can be attributed to the strengthening effect, which is a result of interference with the motion of dislocation, due to the formation of secondary α precipitates. Ti10-2-3 alloy showed poorer machinability than Ti54M alloy in both the heat treatment conditions due to the presence of higher content of β stabilizer elements (V and Fe).