Finding optimum cutting conditions for augmented grindability of Ti-6Al-4V

This study is dedicated toward subtractive manufacturing of difficult to process material, Ti-6Al-4 V through an extensively employed precision abrasive machining operation, grinding. Ti-6Al-4 V is the most extensively used material, which needs grinding during its finishing in many cases. However, grinding of the material is challenging due to the characteristics like high chemical reactivity at higher temperature, high hot-hardness, low elastic modulus, and low thermal conductivity. Due to elevated reactivity at raised up temperature, titanium tends to adhere to the abrasive wheel during grinding thus leading to ineffective cutting performance. Its low thermal conductivity intensifies thermal damage to the bonded abrasives forming glazed grits. The present experimental study deals with finding optimum cutting conditions for enhancing grindability of the alloy that involves optimizing the grinding infeed values for different conventional wheels. The optimized dressing infeed is used in the subsequent grinding operation where enhancement of grinding condition is investigated under the application of cutting fluids. The major considerations of the study are identifying coolants and delivery techniques, which follow sustainable developments, and suitable conventional abrasive grinding wheels.