Waterjet cutting titanium
Water jet cutting is a recent innovation in cutting titanium. A high speed jet containing entrained abrasive is very effective for high cutting speeds and for producing smooth burr-free edges. Sections up to three inches have been cut and the process is relatively unaffected by differences in hardness of the titanium workpiece.
Titanium can be economically machined on a routine production basis if shop procedures are set up to allow for the physical characteristics common to the metal. The factors which must be given consideration are not complex, but they are vital to successfully machining titanium.
The different grades of titanium, i.e., commercially pure and various alloys, do not have identical machining characteristics, any more than all steels, or all aluminum grades have identical characteristics. Like stainless steel, the low thermal conductivity of titanium inhibits dissipation of heat within the workpiece itself, thus requiring proper application of coolants.
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