Determination of the friction coefficients between uncoated WC-Co tools and L-PBF and wrought Ti-6Al-4V alloys for micro-milling simulations

Abstract

This study aims to determine the friction coefficient in the function of the sliding velocity between uncoated WC-Co tools and Ti-6Al-4V alloys processed by Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) and the wrought one. A series of tribological tests combined with numerical simulations were performed under different sliding velocities and a constant contact pressure using spherical WC-Co pins and wrought and L-PBF Ti-6Al-4V. The obtained friction coefficients in the function of the sliding velocity were then integrated into two micro-milling models to predict the cutting forces in machining of wrought and L-PBF Ti-6Al-4V, respectively.