Machinability analysis of heat treated Ti64, Ti54M and Ti10.2.3 titanium alloys

In this research, machinability of the heat treated α/β (Ti64 and Ti54M) and metastable β (Ti10.2.3) titanium alloys is investigated experimentally. Forces and temperature i.e. life of the cutting tool 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. Heat treatment was found to have influence on the machinability of the analyzed alloys. The annealed and solution treated plus over aged samples of the Ti10.2.3 alloy, showed comparatively higher cutting tool temperature and higher cutting forces. This work confirmed the poorer machinability of the Ti10.2.3 alloy than the Ti64 and Ti54M alloys in different heat treatment conditions and this is due to the presence of higher content of β stabilizer elements (V and Fe). It is concluded that the proper heat treatment planning results in better machining performance of the titanium alloys.