Matters needing attention in machining titanium alloy

During the process of machining titanium alloy, we should pay attention to the following points:

1. Because the elastic modulus of titanium alloy is small, the clamping deformation and forced deformation of workpiece are large, it will reduce the machining precision of the workpiece. Clamping force should not be too large when workpiece is installed, and auxiliary support can be added if necessary.

2. If the cutting fluid containing hydrogen is used, the hydrogen will be decomposed and released during the process of machining titanium alloy, resulting in hydrogen embrittlement caused by titanium absorption. It may also cause high temperature stress corrosion cracking of titanium alloy.

3. Chlorides in cutting fluid may also decompose or volatilize toxic gases when used, so safety precautions should be adopted when they are used, otherwise they should not be used. After machining titanium alloy, clean parts must be cleaned with chlorine free cleaning agents in time to remove chlorine residue.

4. It is forbidden to use lead and zinc based alloys to work with fixtures and titanium alloys. Copper, tin, cadmium and their alloys are also prohibited.

5. All tools, fixtures or other devices that contact with titanium alloy must be clean. The cleaned titanium alloy parts, should prevent grease or fingerprint pollution, they may stress corrosion caused by salt.

6. Generally speaking, there is no danger of firing when machining titanium alloy. Only when cutting at a micro level, can the small cutting be fired. In order to avoid fire, in addition to pouring a large amount of cutting fluid, the cutting chips should be prevented from stacking on the machine tool. The cutting tool should be replaced immediately after blunt, or the cutting speed is reduced, and the feed is increased to increase the cutting thickness. Once fire, the use of talc powder, limestone powder, dry sand and other fire extinguishing equipment to extinguish, strictly prohibit the use of carbon tetrachloride, carbon dioxide extinguisher, nor water, because water can accelerate the combustion, and even lead to hydrogen explosion.