To help machine shops tackle this often tough-to-cut metal, the following is a brief overview on titanium alloys and the most effective cutting tools and methods for working with this material. Choosing the Right BladeLike any material, one crucial aspect of cutting titanium alloys is choosing the right tool. Since titanium alloys are a stronger and harder material, they pose a unique cutting challenge best solved by carbide blades.
Specialized carbide blade for cutting Inconel and Titanium applications. Nickel based alloys, heat resistant, and duplex steels. Excellent blade life with highly abrasive materials, leaving excellent surface quality.
My company frequently machines components from Titanium and we”Ve had some difficulty at the saw. The saw cut looks OK. but occasionally the stuff eats the blade, and whips a vicious curve through the blank, resulting in an undersized condition.”I understand we use Carbide tipped or HSS Lenox blades. They were large enough in diameter to encompass the head of a horizontal saw, so the saw was essentially cutting a ring that was wrapped around its head. “I was running a saw with a 1” blade. The Wellsaw has an adjustable spring counterbalance for head weight, and I would disconnect the spring entirely and then hang a 10# weight on the outboard end of the saw head. The net effect was blade force at least twice what the saw was designed to provide, but that’s what it took to do the job effectively.
As a general rule bimetal blades will cost about 2.5x a standard flex-back blade and last about 3-4x longer in metals, saving time and money. “Carbide tipped saw blade teeth are very hard and often used to cut exotic alloys and metals including inconel and titanium. They are also popular when cutting large aluminum or fiberglass cross sections to save time and prolong blade life. Because carbide tipped blades usually have a wide tooth spacing they are only designed to cut fairly large solids(3″+ min. A diamond grit band saw blade will cost about 2-3 times the price of a carbide grit blade but will last about 5-10 times longer on the correct applications.
The basic steps that titanium undergoes are as follows: titanium is reduced into a porous form; the porous form melted into an ingot; and the ingot then converted into general mill products. In the video below, you can see a Cosen AH320 Horizontal Band Saw being used to cut a block of titanium. At Titanium Metal Supply, we work 8 hours per day, Monday through Friday, cutting titanium for a variety of different fabrications.
Carbide-tipped bandsaw blades are used to improve cutting performance and industrial productivity. Certosa C3 carbide-tipped bladeThe carbide-tipped cutting blade with C3 geometry is particularly suitable for cutting hard-to-cut material including: titanium alloys, Inconel or nickel-based alloys. Top geared cutting performance with smooth and silent blades.
best bandsaw blade for titanium Related Question:
What blade can cut titanium?
A special blade is required to cut titanium with a band saw. The blade must have carbide-tipped teeth, which stay sharper longer than steel-tipped alternatives. We also utilize coolants during the cutting process to help keep the integrity of the cut, cool the blade, prevent work-hardening, and clear chips.
Is titanium hard to cut?
Titanium is hard. Well, grade 1 titanium – meaning pure titanium – is actually a somewhat soft metal, but the most common alloy, grade 5, is hard. What’s more, titanium is also a gummy metal to cut. So, you’re dealing with the challenges of both harder steels and softer metals like aluminum.
Will a hacksaw cut titanium?
Titanium cuts pretty easily actually. Yeah i have cut 3 or so with a regular saw. No problems not very tough even. I’ll add to and echo some others and say just use a brand new hacksaw blade (I’d personally recommend 32T) and use your guide and some cutting oil and have at it.
Can you cut titanium with a bandsaw?
Since titanium alloys are a stronger and harder material, they pose a unique cutting challenge best solved by carbide blades. Using a carbide-tipped band saw blade not only allows for the successful cutting of titanium alloys, but it simultaneously offers longer blade life and faster cutting as well.
Can titanium cut through metal?
They are very hard, and corrosion-resistant. They last much longer than regular HSS drill bits, and they are good for cutting through any metal, including metal sheeting. Titanium drill bits are harder than cobalt, but because they are coated, they can’t be sharpened.
Can an angle grinder cut titanium?
✽[Product Usage]: It can be used with angle grinders and cutting machines, suitable for cutting titanium plates, color steel plates, stainless steel and various metals.
What is the cutting speed for titanium?
The Basics Titanium has a narrow band of machinability, with recommended cutting speeds of 60 m/min for roughing and 3-4 times that when finishing. Feedrates are entirely dependent on chip loads and other factors, but should be high enough to prevent work hardening.
Why machining of titanium is difficult?
However, the machinability of titanium alloys is difficult due to their low thermal conductivity and elastic modulus, high hardness at elevated temperature, and high chemical reactivity.
Can a Dremel cut titanium?
But no matter how hard it is, just about any metal used in a watch can be cut with a Dremel and an appropriate cutting wheel, grinding tool or high speed metal cutter.
Can titanium be ground?
Working titanium is about like stainless. It’s a tough metal. When grinding, it will throw a lot of sparks and can get a little gummy if allowed to overheat. It will also turn brown or blue, but that can be polished off.
Can you mill titanium?
Milling titanium is like milling other hard-to-machine metals in that a small increase in cutting speed can lead to a big increase in edge wear. Milling titanium is different from other metals because of the risk of heat build-up.
Can you file down titanium?
Titanium can be worked with standard files, but a light pressure is recommended.
Does pure titanium work harden?
Titanium and its useful alloys tend to work-harden immediately, much like stainless steel. That can become a problem if, for example, you have to drill a deep hole.
Can you lathe titanium?
Machining titanium requires low surface speed, high feed rates, flood coolant and very sharp tools. Never allow the tool to dwell. Titanium will work harden immediately if you allow a tool to rub on it without cutting. Be careful with those fine stringer chips.
Can you shear titanium?
We can quickly and efficiently make straight-line cuts to separate pieces of sheet metal and still meet your delivery schedule. We can shear up to ¼” thick titanium plate and hold a straight length of up to 120 inches.