High-pressure water-jet-assisted machining of Ti555-3 titanium alloy: investigation of tool wear mechanisms

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to investigate uncoated tungsten carbide tool wear mechanisms for high-pressure waterjet machining of the Ti555-3 titanium alloy. A comparative study has been undertaken (i.e. conventional versus assisted machining) based on numerous experimental tests. These tests have been accompanied by the measurement of the cutting forces and flank wear. It is concluded that the high-pressure water-jet assistance can greatly increase tool life compared to conventional machining, for all cutting conditions. The gain in tool life depends on the severity of the cutting condition. The analyses performed for each test (i.e. SEM, EDS and 3D profilometer) made it possible to monitor the tool wear and to investigate the main wear mechanisms. Based on these analyses, adhesion wear appears to be the most influential mechanism and it is accelerated by an increase in water-jet pressure. Monitoring of the wear profile made it possible to study the evolution of crater wear and material chipping during machining.

An overview of conventional and non-conventional techniques for machining of titanium alloys

“…At a lower pressure of 100bar, cutting forces was reduced by 23% [63]. In another study, Ayed and Geriman [64] reported that the tool life increased by a factor of 8 during HPWJAM of Ti555-3. The cutting speed of up to 75 mm/min gave good machinability but above this speed, the HPWJM was ineffective.…”

Study on Microwave-assisted TBM Double-edged Cutter Rock-breaking Efficiency and its Positional Relationship

“…To solve this problem, scholars at home and abroad have explored how to transform the traditional rock-breaking method and put forward a variety of auxiliary rock-breaking methods. Among them, the highpressure water jet method [8][9] , laser method [10][11] , and highpressure liquid nitrogen jet method [12][13] can reduce the force of disc cutter rock-breaking and improve the efficiency of rockbreaking when assisting TBM disc cutter rock-breaking, but at the same time, there are defects of the technology itself and the limitations of the environment. The high-pressure water jetting method requires high reliability of hydraulic components, and is easy to cause water accumulation, affecting the construction [14] ; The laser method has a small damage range and depth to the rock, and the auxiliary effect is most obvious only when breaking the surface of the rock [15] ; the high-pressure liquid nitrogen jet method has a significant effect on the cold impact fracturing of high-temperature rocks in thermal reservoirs, but the effect is poor in other applications, especially in waterbearing formations [16] .…”