Numerical Analysis of Tool Performance in Up Milling of Ti-6AL-4V Alloy

Ti-6Al-4V is widely used in industry because of its high strength-to weight ratio at elevated temperatures, its excellent resistance to fracture and corrosion, and biological properties. However, Ti-6Al-4V is classified as hard-to-cut material because of its high chemical reactivity with most tool materials and its low thermal conductivity that causes high temperature on the tool face. Consequently, prediction of the tool temperature distribution has great significance in predicting tool wear pattern. In this research, Finite Element Method (FEM) is employed to conduct numerical investigation of the effects of cutting conditions (cutting speed, feed/tooth, and axial depth of cut) in corner up milling on temperature of the tool rake face. The tool material used is general carbide and the behavior of the workpiece Ti-6Al-4V is described by using Johnson-Cook plastic model. Because of the computational expense, a separate heat transfer model is built to analyze the heat transfer process after the tooth disengages the workpiece and before it engages the workpiece again to predict change of temperature distribution during this cooling process. This research provides helpful guidance for selecting tool cooling strategies in up milling Ti-6Al-4V alloy.