Cutting Force during Face Milling of a Coarse- and Ultrafine-Grained VT6 Titanium Alloy

—The results of an experiment on the face milling of a VT6 titanium alloy and an ultrafine-grained (UFG) VT6 titanium alloy fabricated by equal-channel angular pressing are analyzed. The technology of producing an UFG alloy and its physicomechanical properties are considered. The results of experiments on determining the dependence of the cutting force on the cutting conditions for face milling on a universal FHV-50PD (PROMA) milling machine are presented. During a three-factor experiment, the cutting conditions were varied: cutting depth ( t = 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 mm), feed ( s = 65, 100, 185 mm/min), and milling cutter rotation speed ( n = 580, 720, 875 rpm). No coolant is used during processing. The cutting force was determined indirectly by measuring the displacement of the milling cutter mandrel using a vibration sensor. The vibrations of the tool subsystem are recorded at a sampling frequency of up to 5 kHz using a noncontact vibration sensor. Regression dependences of the cutting force on the milling conditions are determined for both alloys with confirmation of their statistical significance. Based on the data obtained on cutting forces and an analysis of chip formation features (burr parameters and the type of chips formed), a comparative analysis of the data is carried out and conclusions are drawn about the features of cutting a new alloy. The problems of practical application of the experimental results are considered.