Surface integrity evolution and wear evolution of the micro-blasted coated tool in high-speed turning of Ti6Al4V

Abstract

The coated tool is one of the most widely used cutters in the processing of titanium alloy. The wear of the coated tool is influenced by its surface integrity which can be improved by surface treatment, such as micro-blasting. The experiment of high-speed dry turning of titanium alloy Ti6Al4V (TC4) is carried out by the PVD-TiAlN coated carbide tools which are untreated and micro-blasted. For the coated tool, the evolution of the tool surface integrity, including tool surface roughness, tool surface topography, tool surface hardness, and tool surface residual stress, is studied at different wear stages. Moreover, the evolution of tool wear is analyzed at different wear stages. Then, the influence of tool surface integrity on tool wear is investigated. It is suggested that the tool surface integrity and wear resistance of the treated tool is improved. The change of tool wear is consistent with the change of coating surface integrity. That is to say, the better tool surface integrity is, the less tool wear will be. In addition, the main tool wear mechanisms are adhesive wear and oxidative wear. In the end, the stable wear stage of treated tools is prolonged, and the tool life is increased by more than 40%.