Turning of Gamma TiAl Intermetallic Alloys

In the present work the turning of two different aluminium titanium of the so-called gamma TiAl (or titanium aluminides) is presented. These alloys are solidified in gamma phase, being this a uncommon case in the industrial materials. This kind of titanium alloy presents improved mechanical properties even at high temperatures, the ratio between resistance and weight and resistance and low corrosion is greater than the more known alfa-beta type titanium alloys. However an absolute lack of recommendation for machining alters the material production is delaying a lot the use of gamma TiAl in car and aeronautical applications. This work presents the main results of a long testing program on three alloys, with different application fields. The main conclusion is that they are difficult-to-cut materials, even harder to machining that titanium alloys.