Is Titanium Suitable for CNC Machining?
When it comes to materials for CNC machining, titanium is often a top choice. It's strong, lightweight, and resists corrosion. It is a lustrous transition metal. But is titanium suitable for every application? Let's look at the pros and cons of using titanium for CNC machining.
Titanium Grade and Properties
Titanium alloys are some of the most valuable materials available. The metal has desirable material properties, such as high strength and low density. Titanium alloys are also biocompatible, which makes them ideal for use in medical implants.
Titanium alloys
There are a variety of titanium alloys in use today, each with its own set of properties. The most common titanium alloy is Titanium Grade 5, also known as Ti-6Al-4V. This alloy is strong, lightweight, and resistant to corrosion. Titanium Grade 5 is also biocompatible, making it a good choice for medical implants.
Other titanium alloys include Grade 23, also known as Ti-6Al-4V ELI. This alloy is stronger and more corrosion-resistant than Grade 5 titanium. It is also biocompatible, making it a good choice for medical implants.
Grade 29 is another titanium alloy, which is also known as Ti-6Al-4V. This alloy is stronger and more corrosion-resistant than Grade 5 titanium. It is also biocompatible, making it a good choice for medical implants.
Strength
Titanium has a higher tensile strength than aluminum and steel, making it an ideal material for many applications. Aluminum has a tensile strength of about 60,000 psi, while steel has about 80,000 psi. On the other hand, titanium has a tensile strength of around 200,000 psi. This makes titanium about 3 times stronger than aluminum and steel.
Why CNC Machining Titanium?
There are many reasons to choose CNC machining for titanium. This metal is known for its high strength and durability, making it ideal for various applications. It is also resistant to corrosion, making it a perfect choice for parts that will be exposed to harsh environments. Titanium is also a lightweight element, making it ideal for applications where weight is a factor.
CNC machining can produce parts with very tight tolerances, and the finish of machined titanium can be pretty good. Titanium can be machined at high speeds, making it cost-effective for many applications. Harder titanium alloys can be more challenging to machine, but they can be machined successfully with the right tools and know-how.
Things to consider when machining titanium
Regarding strength-to-weight ratio, titanium is one of the best materials available. It's also known for its corrosion resistance. However, titanium can be difficult to machine due to its hardness and strength.
There are a few things to consider when machining titanium, such as the grade of titanium and its hardness. Commercially pure titanium is the most common grade used in machining, but other grades are also available. Titanium is measured on the Rockwell C scale, with higher numbers indicating harder materials.
Sharp cutting tool
When machining titanium, avoid tool wear and excess heat. Use high-pressure coolant to keep the tool and workpiece cool.
Using Coolant
When machining, consider that titanium has a very high melting point; it can quickly overheat, so it's essential to use a coolant and take breaks often to avoid damaging the material. Additionally, titanium forms an oxide layer on its surface when exposed to oxygen, so it's essential to use a sharp tool and not overheat the material.
When rough machining, leave as little margin as possible
When rough machining, there is little margin for error. The metal is rigid and brittle, making it challenging to work with. In addition, titanium is very reactive with other metals. It has a lower density than iron or steel, so it will require less power to cut. So, when rough machining, leave as little margin as possible.
Chipload
When providing machining services like drilling/milling of titanium grade material, consider accurate otherwise, larger chipload can yield unfavorable results. Improper cutting speed may form a built-up edge on titanium parts.
Applications
It is a versatile element with a wide range of applications in many industries. Owing to its superior mechanical properties, it is preferred over other metals like aluminum and iron. It can also be alloyed to form different grades to achieve desired properties. It plays a vital role in manufacturing titanium parts, especially aerospace components. It can be processed on a CNC machine like a CNC mill.
It is commonly used in chemical processing and CNC milling due to its high corrosion resistance and strength. It is also used to produce larger chipboards, as vanadium is a common impurity in titanium.
Medical
It is used in implanted medical devices in the medical industries, such as manufacturing artificial hip joints and pacemakers. Different titanium grades are available to be used in the medical industry.
Aerospace
Titanium is also used in manufacturing aircraft engines, as it can withstand high temperatures. In addition, it is used in the manufacturing construction of buildings and structural components, as it is solid and durable.
Titanium in manufacturing tools and automotive parts which are exposed to extreme temperatures. It is rigid and durable, making it ideal for many different uses. It is also corrosion-resistant, making it a good choice for products exposed to seawater.
Conclusion
This article concludes with the introduction, properties, grades, and applications of titanium. It has a broad range of applications from manufacturing aerospace industries to medical CNC machined parts. Its chemical composition enables it to be alloyed to form different titanium parts.
Several titanium grades are available at Worthy Hardware which can be selected according to the services. Worthy Hardware offers CNC titanium machining services and has a team of experts to assist you in completing your project with utmost precision. Reach out to us today, and let's get our work started.
Worthy Hardware is a CNC manufacturing and sheet metal fabrication company,including CNC machining services,CNC milling services, CNC turning services, laser cutting services and stamping services.Call us +86-76989919645 or email us [email protected] for more discounts for your projects.