Abstract
The purpose of this study is to clarify the machinability of α+β type Ti-6Al-6V-2Sn titanium alloy from the viewpoints of tool wear, cutting temperature and cutting mechanism, which leads to appropriate guidance to manufacturing engineers in the selection of cutting conditions. This paper describes tool life tests performed under a wide range of cutting conditions, and the analysis of cutting economics based on Taylor's tool-life equation. Rough turning of the titanium alloy with straight tungsten carbide tools shows that the combination of lower cutting speed and higher feed rate yields better cutting efficiency and lower cutting cost as well. The machining test in a production environment has confirmed the laboratory result : a 15% reduction in cutting time has been achieved.
