Experimental analysis for turning of Ti6Al4V alloy by tungsten carbide coated tool inserts

Abstract

Due to their exceptional characteristics, titanium alloys are suitable for technical and medicinal applications. These alloys are difficult to machine due to their low heat conductivity and low elastic modulus, which produce high cutting forces and tool wear. This study used tungsten carbide inserts to dry-turn titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V). Cutting speed, feed rate, and depth of cut were chosen as the input process parameters for machining, while cutting force, and surface roughness were the output responses. The experimental design is based on three factors at a three-level partial factorial L9 orthogonal array, and it was created using Minitab® 17 statistical software. Analysis of variance and the Taguchi S/N ratio was utilized to analyze the data. The minimum cutting force (115 N) and average surface roughness of 1.6 μm were found at a cutting speed (450 rpm), feed rate (0.1 mm/rev), and depth of cut (0.5 mm). While machining, it was found that feed rate contributes less to cutting force than the depth of cut and cutting speed. Among the combinations tested, a cutting speed of 450 rpm, feed rate of 0.1 mm/rev, and depth of cut 0.5 mm provided the most remarkable overall machining performance.