Titanium is strong, light and notoriously tricky to cut. This guide covers the essentials to machine it cleanly.
Low thermal conductivity traps heat at the cutting edge, and the material work-hardens. The result: quick tool wear if you cut wrong.
Moderate speeds, higher feed per tooth, and never let the tool dwell in the cut. Keep the chip load positive and the coolant flowing.
Rigid workholding and sharp, coated carbide tools. Avoid long overhangs that let the part chatter and distort.
Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) is the default; Grade 2 for formability; both need the same disciplined approach.
Yes — with rigid setups and stable temperatures, ±0.01 mm is routinely achievable.
Tool life is shorter and cycle times longer, so yes — but the performance often justifies it.