Mechanical and microstructural properties of titanium alloys change with β-phase fraction. This in turn influences the dominant tool wear mechanisms in their machining. This work therefore involves turning experimentation on three titanium alloys with varying β-phase fraction, namely, α, α+ β and β-rich alloys using coated carbide tools, to identify dominant wear mechanisms, which hitherto have not been adequately investigated. The dominant wear mechanisms were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis of worn tool surfaces and were also correlated with the cutting forces during machining. Abrasion, abrasion with built-up edge and plastic deformation of cutting edge appeared to be the dominant tool wear mechanisms in α, α+ β and β-rich alloy, respectively. At the same time, diffusion of Sn, V and Mo from α, α+ β and β-rich alloys to tool face, respectively, was observed. The chip–tool contact length predicted using the analytical models from the literature matched closely with the experimental values.

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