Titanium Feeds & Speeds Chart
Quick-look reference data for Ti-6Al-4V, CP Grade 2, and titanium HEM milling. Best used as a shop-floor starting chart before you validate coolant, engagement, and tool-life risk in the calculator.
Need Exact Titanium Milling Numbers?
Use this chart for a fast first pass. Then move to the titanium calculator when cutter diameter, coolant strategy, radial engagement, or tool-life tradeoffs need a setup-specific answer.
What This Chart Covers Best
First-pass SFM and chip-load ranges for titanium milling, especially when the job is Ti-6Al-4V roughing, HEM, or conservative finishing with carbide.
Where It Needs Backup
Turning, drilling, and boring need feed-per-rev logic plus entry and breakthrough rules. Thin-wall work and deep pockets also need calculator follow-through before release.
Best Next Links
Branch to the titanium calculator, chip-load calculator, drilling calculator, or turning calculator when the setup gets specific.
Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5)
The aerospace standard. Poor thermal conductivity means heat concentrates at the cutting edge. AlTiN or TiAlN-coated carbide is the usual milling starting point, but exact tool choice still depends on engagement and coolant delivery.
| Operation | Start SFM | Max SFM | Chip Load (1/2" End Mill) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy Roughing (Slot) | 120 | 160 | 0.002" - 0.003" |
| Dynamic Milling (HEM) | 250 | 400* | 0.004" - 0.007" (RCTF) |
| Finishing (Radial < 5%) | 180 | 250 | 0.001" - 0.002" |
| Drilling (Carbide) | 50 | 80 | 0.003" - 0.006" |
*HEM speeds require proper radial chip thinning calculations. The drilling row is reference-only here; move to the drilling calculator before production release.
Titanium Grade 2 (Pure)
Softer and gummier than Grade 5. More prone to built-up edge. Can run slightly faster but watch for gummy chips.
| Operation | Start SFM | Max SFM | Chip Load (1/2" End Mill) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roughing | 160 | 220 | 0.003" - 0.005" |
| Finishing | 200 | 300 | 0.002" - 0.004" |
Heat Management
Titanium has terrible thermal conductivity (~7 W/m·K). Unlike steel where heat dissipates through the chip, in titanium ~80% of heat concentrates at the cutting edge. Only 10–20% is carried away by the chip.
Strategy:
- AlTiN / TiAlN Coating: Usually the best milling start point because it handles heat better than uncoated carbide.
- Dynamic Milling (HEM): Use small radial cut (5-10%) to allow flute cooling time.
- High Pressure Coolant: Strongly preferred for productive titanium milling; conservative flood setups can still work if chip evacuation stays controlled.
Drilling Danger Zone
Titanium work hardens instantly if you rub.
NEVER DWELL.
If the drill stops advancing while contacting material, the hole bottom will harden to 60+ HRC. Your next drill will burn instantly.
Retract fully every peck to clear chips and cool the tip. If the job is mainly drilling, switch to the drilling calculator instead of relying on a milling chart.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What SFM should I use for Ti-6Al-4V titanium?
For titanium milling, this chart gives a first-pass range of roughly 100-200 SFM for carbide roughing in Ti-6Al-4V, with higher HEM or finishing windows only when the setup can actually control heat. Use the titanium calculator before release if engagement, coolant, or tool life are still in question.
Why is titanium so difficult to machine?
Titanium has low thermal conductivity (~7 W/mK vs 50 for steel). Heat concentrates at the cutting edge instead of dissipating through the workpiece. It is also chemically reactive and bonds to tool materials at high temperatures.
What coolant should I use for titanium?
High-pressure through-tool coolant is the preferred production setup for titanium because it improves chip control and heat removal. Standard flood can still work for conservative milling, but dry cutting is high risk and usually avoided because heat and fire risk rise quickly.
What tool coatings work best for titanium?
AlTiN or TiAlN are standard. For aggressive roughing, consider AlCrN. Uncoated sharp carbide can also work well for finishing. Avoid diamond coatings (chemical reaction with titanium).
What chip load should I use for titanium milling?
1/2" end mill in Ti-6Al-4V: roughing 0.002–0.004" IPT, finishing 0.001–0.002" IPT. Maintain minimum chip load to avoid rubbing. Chip thinning compensation is critical at low radial engagement.