INTERACTIONS BETWEEN WEAR MECHANISMS IN A WC-Co-Ti-6Al-4V MACHINING TRIBOSYSTEM
The objective of this work is to identify and analyze the interactions between wear mechanisms in a machining tribosystem that involves dry turning of a grade-5 titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) with uncoated tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC-Co) cutting tools. The worn surface obtained with different operational parameters were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Also, the worn topology was characterized through scanning by a 3D optical surface profiler. At low cutting speeds, adhesion of Ti alloy and minor diffusion of C was observed. At medium and high cutting speeds, the increased diffusion of Co led to WC grain pullout forming a crater, followed by the adhesion of Ti alloy. At low feed rates, C pullout and deposition was observed. Recommendations to increase productivity by enabling selective wear mechanism interactions were provided thus enabling a better understanding of how the worn tool surface is generated.