Effects of Cutting Angles in Ti-6al-4v Milling Process on Surface Integrity: Influence of Roughness and Residual Stresses on Fatigue Limit

The influence of the milling process on the fatigue behavior of a titanium alloy was investigated. The effect of cutting conditions such as the cutting angles (axial and radial rake angle) on the surface integrity (roughness and the residual stresses) was observed. The results indicated that the cutting angles have a limited influence on roughness parameters, whereas the effects on residual stresses were greater. A negative axial rake angle induced compressive residual stresses regardless of the radial rake angle. In contrast, a positive axial rake angle combined with negative radial rake angle induced tensile residual stresses. To evaluate the fatigue limit, the four point fatigue tests were carried out. Result showed the fatigue limit is sensitive to the surface integrity. The fatigue limit was also evaluated by analytical method (Arola model). A good correlation was found between the analytical results and the experimental results when cutting angles induced compressive residual stress. However the Arola model was less accurate for tensile residual stress surface condition. To improve the prediction precision, the residual stress was considered as a sensitivity parameter and added to Arola model.