Abstract:Cutting tools of titanium alloys are subject to severe wear due to its chemical activity and high cutting temperatures. Applying coatings to the tool surface is an effective way to extend tool service time. Using PVD cathodic arc evaporation technology, the TiAlSiN/CrAlSiN nano-multilayer coating tool was made by alternately superposing TiAlSi target and CrAlSi target, which are used to cut conventional titanium alloy and 3D printed titanium alloy, respectively. The obtained TiAlSiN/CrAlSiN nanomultilayer coatings exhibit high hardness. When cutting titanium alloys, the tool wear is characterized by coating delamination, craters on the rake face, uniform wear on flank face, and chipping on tool nose. The main cause of tool wear is adhesion, followed by high temperature oxidation. Among the three cutting parameters, the effect of cutting speed on cutting force and cutting temperature is much greater than that of depth of cut and feed. Compared with conventional TC4, the cutting temperature and cutting force of 3D printed TC4 are lower than those of conventional TC4 due to the decrease of elongation and hardness and the increase of elastic modulus, and the tool life is correspondingly prolonged.