Specific carbide substrate design to enhance tool performance in machining of Ti5553

Abstract Specific substrates with improved diffusion wear resistance by tailoring the cobalt and/or carbon distribution have been designed and developed for machining of α+β- and β-titanium alloys. This research work focuses on the interaction between the substrate and the workpiece material during machining. Advanced analysis methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) in combination with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) have been applied to investigate the wear development as a function of substrate design. The results show clearly that the novel carbide substrates improved considerably the machinability of titanium alloys in terms of wear development, increasing the tool life up to 3 times.