Titanium alloys such as Ti-6Al-4V are strong, low in thermal conductivity, and chemically reactive, so heat concentrates at the cutting edge. Run slow surface speeds, keep a steady feed, and flood the cut. Done right titanium machines fine; done hot it work-hardens and scorches tools.
Convert SFM to RPM: RPM = (SFM × 3.82) / cutter diameter (in). Then feed (IPM) = RPM × chip load × flutes. Use the Feeds & Speeds calculators.
Cutting speeds (SFM)
| Operation | HSS (SFM) | Carbide (SFM) |
|---|---|---|
| Milling | 30 – 50 | 100 – 200 |
| Turning | 40 – 60 | 150 – 250 |
| Drilling | 20 – 40 | 60 – 120 |
Recommended chip load
| End mill diameter | Chip load (in/tooth) |
|---|---|
| 1/8 in | 0.0003 – 0.0006 |
| 1/4 in | 0.0006 – 0.0012 |
| 3/8 in | 0.0010 – 0.0018 |
| 1/2 in | 0.0012 – 0.0025 |
| 3/4 in | 0.0018 – 0.0030 |
| 1 in | 0.0022 – 0.0035 |
Starting points for general work. Defer to your tooling manufacturer and adjust for rigidity, coolant, and depth of cut.
Tips
- Keep surface speed low — titanium dumps heat into the tool, not the chip.
- Maintain a real, steady feed; never dwell or let the tool rub, which work-hardens the surface.
- Use heavy flood coolant and sharp AlTiN-coated carbide in a very rigid setup.
- Fine titanium chips are flammable — manage chip buildup and keep coolant flowing.
See the full Feeds and Speeds Chart for every material side by side.