Laser Assisted Machining of Titanium and Titanium Metal Matrix Composites

Despite titanium alloys and titanium metal matrix composites are widely used in industry, the poor machinability of those materials has been problematic over the years, resulting in a high cost of machining.  This presentation describes the recent development of laser-assisted machining to improve the machinability of those materials, in both turning and milling operations.  Through systematic modeling and control of temperature ahead of the cutting tool, a significant improvement of machinability of these materials has been achieved, including longer tool life, improved surface finish and reduced machining costs.

Various case studies will be shown along with the detailed resultant microstructures after machining, improved tool life, reduced cutting energies and the resultant cost savings.   Furthermore, the talk will also describe novel predictive thermal modeling work, which led to the successful implementation of laser-assisted machining and state-of-the-art machining process simulation work, which led to prediction of tool life, cutting forces and subsurface residual stresses.  The talk will finally present the challenges in machining of titanium metal matrix composites and their different behavior of material during machining, and finally show how machinability of these materials can be improved by laser-assisted machining.