Ti-6Al-4V is strong and light but holds heat at the cutting edge because it conducts heat poorly. Run low surface speeds, keep a steady feed, and flood the cut; managed well it machines reliably.
Key properties
| Property | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.160 lb/in³ (4.43 g/cm³) |
| Hardness | ~36 HRC |
| Tensile strength | ~138,000 psi (950 MPa) |
| Machinability | Poor |
| Composition | Ti with 6% Al, 4% V |
Cutting speeds
| Operation | HSS (SFM) | Carbide (SFM) |
|---|---|---|
| Milling | 30 – 50 | 100 – 200 |
| Turning | 40 – 60 | 150 – 250 |
| Drilling | 20 – 40 | 60 – 120 |
Convert to RPM: RPM = (SFM × 3.82) / cutter diameter. Use the Feeds & Speeds calculators.
Tooling and tips
- Low SFM, sharp AlTiN carbide, heavy flood coolant, and a very rigid setup.
- Maintain a real chip load — rubbing work-hardens the surface fast.
- Fine titanium chips are flammable; manage chip buildup and keep coolant flowing.
FAQ
Why does titanium require special machining parameters? Titanium has low thermal conductivity, so heat concentrates at the cutting edge rather than dissipating into the chip, and it work-hardens quickly if a tool rubs instead of cutting. Lower speeds, rigid setups, and sharp tools with adequate coolant flow are typically required.
See Cutting Speeds for Titanium and the full Feeds and Speeds Chart.