Grinding titanium alloys applying small quantity lubrication

Abstract

Rapid progress of manufacturing industry intends to evolve an appropriate method to shape advanced materials, such as titanium and its alloys, with improved properties. Enhanced strength at elevated temperatures in addition to superior corrosion resistance and biocompatibility have made titanium a popular metal employed in manufacturing, petroleum, automobile, aerospace and medical industries. Although having relatively greater abundance than many metals, processing, machining and grinding of titanium are difficult. The present experimental investigation explores the effectiveness of the indigenously developed small quantity lubrication (SQL) technique using soap water along with liquid CO2 jet cooling technique. Variations in grinding forces, surface roughness, grinding ratio, chip form and surface morphology observed indicate that applying SQL along with liquid CO2 jet is much effective in improving grindability of Grade 5 and Grade 1 titanium alloys than dry grinding and grinding using liquid CO2 jet alone.