Cutting Titanium and HRSA Metals: Machinability, Coolants and Beyond

Metals such as heat-resistant superalloys and titanium can be really difficult, but with the right approach and guidance in machining, tool holding and insert selection, machine operators can overcome the problem areas.

From implantable joints in the human body to big parts for marine facilities in the oil industry to engine turbines in aerospace, heat-resistant superalloys and other alloys are being used regularly across major manufacturing segments. But they can be arduous to machine.

If the goal is to make parts at the highest quality in the least amount of time, then having an understanding of the kind of tooling to use is essential. No one wants to burn through tools or cause production delays because of super dense, hard metals that rev up the machine but cut super slow or inaccurately. Having an understanding of a machine’s capabilities is essential too—as is knowing the tools that will work the best for the tough materials.

“The primary application for HRSAs is hot zone turbine components for both aircraft and power generation—parts like blades, blisks, brackets, valves, and manifolds, most of which are complex and contoured,” writes Ed Sinkora for Advanced Manufacturing in the article “Hot Techniques for Cutting High-Temperature Alloys.”

“That means using 5-axis milling to achieve the required forms and tolerances in one clamping. And for smaller parts, solid-carbide round tools are needed, requiring particularly stiff tool holders,” explains Sinkora.

Many industries are under manufacturing pressure. The time it takes to achieve quality parts really matters, especially in very competitive markets.

“The main focus is on process reliability since these structural components are extremely expensive,” notes Walter Tools in an article about pocket milling titanium in aerospace. “At the same time, cost pressure from the market demands high machining and productivity performance.”

To get to that comfortable level of “process reliability,” there is a lot of know-how with using the right machines, workholding, tooling, toolpaths and coolant—all together—find machining and tooling professionals. We explore the top tooling and machining guidance for titanium, HRSAs and alloys.

Want to know more about the makeup of materials you use? Read “A Cutting Tool Selection Guide: Ferrous vs. Nonferrous Metals.”

Watch the Heat, Use Metalworking Coolants

The heat generated in a CNC machine on the surface of the material at the speeds and feeds needed to make accurate, reliable cuts with the proper chips is hard to understate. It can be a real challenge to inserts and tools.

“Poor heat conductivity and high hardness generate high temperatures during machining,” notes Sandvik Coromant in the article “Selecting the Right Turning Insert for HRSA Materials.” “The high strength, work hardening and adhesion hardening properties create notch wear at maximum depth of cut and an extremely abrasive environment for the cutting edge.”

How should a machinist protect against this? For many applications, use carbide-based cutting inserts that keep the edge tough and adhere to the substrate and help avoid deformation.

“In general, use inserts with a large entering angle (round inserts) and select a positive insert geometry. In turning and milling, ceramic grades can be used, depending on the application,” explains Sandvik Coromant.

And don’t forget the role of coatings and coolant, advises Scott Etling, a product management director at Kennametal, in the article “The Heat Is On Difficult-to-Machine Metals.”

“You have to have the right PVD coating, a tough substrate, the right geometry, right edge prep, and high shear geometries,” says Etling. “The heat doesn’t go into the chip like it does in steel. The heat has to go somewhere, so for most titanium applications you have to use an enormous amount of coolant.”

For more on coolant and HRSAs, read Sandvik Coromant’s application guide. The tooling maker suggests the following:

“Coolant should be applied in all operations excluding milling with ceramics. The volume should be high and well directed. High pressure coolant HPC (up to 1160 psi) shows positive results in terms of tool life and consistency.”

Keep the Workpiece Rigid

“Machining HRSAs requires a very stable machine, rigid workholding and a very stiff interface between spindle and toolholder,” notes Sinkora.

There is much more to know than simply the material and the cutting tool. There are also the necessary elements that help keep a workpiece in place and at a balanced strength that can withstand the very high rpms and throughput today’s machines and innovative cutting tools can handle.

“Machining of titanium and other heat-resistant superalloys generate high cutting forces not only in the radial direction, but also in the axial direction, which can result in tool pull out,” says Hanson in the article “Lessons in High-Performance Machining: Don’t Forget the Tool Holders.” “It is even more important to use the right type of tool holders to prevent tool failure and part scrap. It might not be much—maybe just a few thousandths of an inch at a time, but chances are good that it’s enough to scrap out some very expensive parts.”

If using side-lock holders, it may be time to bring in something new and improved. Many vendors license Haimer’s patented Safe-Lock technology. But it isn’t only about increasing the tool life from reducing pull out. It’s also about reducing chatter and harmonics—and not damaging a machine’s spindle—so hydraulic chucks in HRSA part making are worthy of evaluation, as are making sure the CNC has HSK, Capto, KM4X or other technology.

“When you’re running machine tools that fast, usually over 12,000 rpms, it’s recommended to always balance the complete system, (i.e., toolholder with the cutting tool),” says Ronald West, senior global product manager at Kennametal in the tool holder article. “It just increases tool life and decreases spindle wear … It’s a little more difficult with a collet chuck or end mill adapter to maintain balance due to their design and required hardware, but typically hydraulic chucks and shrink fit adapters are much easier to fine balance for high speed applications.”