Titanium

[Neal Z]

Doing a prototype job on the lathe. Need some idea what speed & feed to run to use for threading, 3/4 dia. Never worked with this stuff.

[Jim at Gentex]

If you have internet access, a good intro to machining titanium can be found here.

 

Here are some general rules:

quote:

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Although the basic machining properties of titanium metal cannot be altered significantly, their effects can be greatly minimized by decreasing temperatures generated at the tool face and cutting edge. Economical production techniques have been developed through application of these basic rules in machining titanium:

 

Use low cutting speeds.

Tool tip temperatures are affected more by cutting speed than by any other single variable. A change from 6 to 46 meters per min (20 to 150 sfm) with carbide tools results in a temperature change from 427ºC to 927ºC (800ºF to 1700ºF).

 

Maintain high feed rates.

Temperature is not affected by feed rate so much as by speed, and the highest feed rates consistent with good machining practice should be used. A change from 0.05 to 0.51 mm (0.002 in. to 0.020 in.) per revolution results in a temperature increase of only 149ºC (300ºF).

 

Use generous amounts of cutting fluid.

Coolant carries away heat, washes away chips, and reduces cutting forces.

 

Use sharp tools and replace them at the first sign of wear, or as determined by production/cost considerations.

Tool wear is not linear when cutting titanium. Complete tool failure occurs rather quickly after small initial amount of wear takes place.

 

Never stop feeding while a tool and a workpiece are in moving contact.

Permitting a tool to dwell in moving contact causes work hardening and promotes smearing, galling, seizing, and total tool breakdown.

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More detail along with some speed / feed tables can be found on the link above.

 

HTH

[jeff]

100-150 sf seems to work the best,I have used that speed on a few different brands of carbide from Sandvik to Tungalloy.

[Neal Z]

Threads look great, Thanks for the info.

[JazzBass]

Thanks Jim,

 

Got a titanium prototype to do next week.

[Jim at Gentex]

 

Love the siggy, Rick!

[JazzBass]

Jim,

 

It suits me, having to wrestle this computer for 12 hours a day.