Machining Performance of TiAlN-Coated Cemented Carbide Tools with Chip Groove in Machining Titanium Alloy Ti-6Al-0.6Cr-0.4Fe-0.4Si-0.01B

Abstract

In this paper, TiAlN-coated cemented carbide tools with chip groove were used to machine titanium alloy Ti-6Al-0.6Cr-0.4Fe-0.4Si-0.01B under dry conditions in order to investigate the machining performance of this cutting tool. Wear mechanisms of TiAlN-coated cemented carbide tools with chip groove were studied and compared to the uncoated cemented carbide tools (K20) with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The effects of the cutting parameters (cutting speed, feed rate and depth of cut) on tool life and workpiece surface roughness of TiAlN-coated cemented carbide tools with chip groove were studied with a 3D super-depth-of-field instrument and a surface profile instrument, respectively. The results showed that the TiAlN-coated cemented carbide tools with chip groove were more suitable for machining TC7. The adhesive wear, diffusion wear, crater wear, and stripping occurred during machining, and the large built-up edge formed on the rake face. The optimal cutting parameters of TiAlN-coated cemented carbide tools were acquired. The surface roughness Ra decreased with the increase of the cutting speed, while it increased with the increase of the feed rate.