Machining characteristics of Ti6Al4V alloy in laser-assisted machining under minimum quantity lubricant

Based on laser-assisted machining (LAM) and minimum quantity lubrication machining (MQLM), a processing technology of laser combined minimum quantity lubrication-assisted machining (LAM-MQL) of titanium alloy is proposed, which combines heating, lubrication, and cooling effects. Dry cutting (DC), LAM, MQLM, and LAM-MQL experiments were carried out on TC4 titanium alloy with cemented carbide tool. With the help of metallographic microscope, scanning electron microscope and roughness measuring instrument, the tool flank wear, tool wear morphology, chip morphology, and surface roughness were detected, respectively. Meanwhile, the EDS spectrum analysis of tool wear area was carried out. The results show that compared with DC, LAM, and MQLM, the tool wear, chip shape, and surface quality of the LAM-MQL have been significantly improved. The tool flank wear has been reduced by 49.1%, 20.5%, and 12.9%, and the surface roughness of the workpiece is reduced by 33.7%, 19.9%, ​​and 12.7%, respectively. The titanium alloy chip transforms from a serrated shape to a continuous shape, and no longer has obvious adiabatic shear bands and severe plastic deformation. The failure of the tool is mainly due to the combined effects of bonding wear, oxidation wear, and abrasive wear.