Effects of VC additive on cutting compatibility of TiB2-based cermet cutting tools and Ti6Al4V alloy

To improve the processing efficiency of Ti6Al4V alloy and prove cutting compatibility of TiB 2 -based cermet tool and Ti6Al4V alloy, a dry turning experiment of Ti6Al4V was carried out using the two TiB 2 -based cermet tools with VC additive or without. The cutting performance, wear mechanism, and machining quality were studied to validate the effect of VC additive on cutting compatibility of TiB 2 -based cermet tools and Ti6Al4V alloys. It was found that TiB 2 -based cermet tool with VC additive showed a longer tool life than commercial WC–Co cemented carbide tool and TiB 2 -based cermet tool without VC additive. The addition of VC could increase the hardness to improve abrasive wear resistance and could also reduce chemical affinity and concentration gradient to inhibit adhesion wear and diffusion wear, thus extending the tool life of TiB 2 -based cermet tools due to the reduction of cutting force and cutting temperature. Furthermore, TiB 2 -based cermet tools with VC additive contribute finer surface roughness and more regular helical chip based on the more favorable cutting compatibility of TiB 2 -based cermet tools with VC additive and Ti6Al4V alloy. This study could provide a guideline to design and optimize TiB 2 cermet tool materials for cutting Ti6Al4V alloy.