Effect of preheating on cutting force and machining performance of titanium alloy TI-6AL-4V

Abstract

The present paper examines the impact of preheating a titanium alloy on cutting force and surface quality during turning. The primary objective of the present study is to ascertain how variations in workpiece temperature prior to machining affect the technological parameters of the cutting process, specifically cutting force and the surface roughness parameter Ra. The experimental portion of the study involved the turning of a Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy workpiece at numerous preheating temperatures, including room temperature, 300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, and 600 °C. Prior to the machining process, a preliminary step of preheating was conducted. The experimental procedure was executed employing the following set of cutting parameters: a feed rate of 0.1 mm/rev, a depth of cut of 0.5 mm, and a cutting speed of 150 m/min. The findings demonstrated a distinct pattern of decreasing cutting force with increasing workpiece size. The material’s mechanical resistance decreased throughout the cutting process, as evidenced by the most notable force reduction at 600 °C. In addition, an increase in surface roughness was observed, suggesting that this process may be conducive to the formation of chips and the establishment of a more pliant interface between the tool and the material. The findings corroborate the hypothesis that preheating can enhance surface quality and reduce tool load during machining of titanium alloys. It is noteworthy that this strategy does not necessitate substantial modifications to the existing machinery. Consequently, it has the potential to be advantageous in manufacturing settings where decreasing tool wear and enhancing productivity are imperative.