3D FEM simulation of milling process for titanium alloy Ti6Al4V

Milling is used as one of the most important tools with the complex tool geometry in industry. However, the complex milling process cannot be simulated by 2D finite element method. Therefore, a more real 3D finite element model (FEM) for the complex milling process of titanium alloy Ti6Al4V is firstly developed using the finite element software ABAQUS. This model takes into account the dynamic effects, thermomechanical coupling, material damage law, and contact criterion. Firstly, the Johnson-Cook material constitutive equation was proposed, considering the effects of strain, strain rate, and temperature on material properties. Secondly, the damage constitutive law was adopted as the chip separation criterion. Then, the simulation for the milling process of Ti6Al4V was conducted through ABAQUS based on the established 3D FEM. Finally, chip formation, stress distribution, cutting force, and milling temperature were obtained. Further, a series of milling experiments of Ti6Al4V were carried out to validate the simulation results. It confirms the capability and advantage of 3D FEM simulation in the complex milling process of titanium alloy. © 2013 Springer-Verlag London.