ISO S — Superalloys & Titanium · S01
S01 — Titanium (commercially pure)
Hardness range: ~200 HB · 30 HRC. Part of the ISO S — Superalloys & Titanium group. Superalloys and titanium are the most challenging ISO group: low thermal conductivity concentrates heat at the cutting edge, and high strength persists at elevated temperatures. High-pressure coolant (70–100 bar) is mandatory. Low Vc, consistent DOC, and sharp geometry are non-negotiable. Tool life is short — plan changeovers.
Material profile — S01
- ISO designation
- S01 (ISO S — Superalloys & Titanium)
- Material
- Titanium (commercially pure)
- Hardness
- ~200 HB · 30 HRC
- ISO group colour
- Superalloys & Titanium
Tooling guidance — S-group
- Group summary
- Most difficult ISO group. High-pressure coolant mandatory. Low Vc, consistent DOC, sharp positive geometry.
Insert selection for commercially pure titanium — starting point
- ISO application class
- S (titanium). Commercially pure titanium is softer than Ti-6Al-4V but gummier and prone to galling, and it still concentrates heat at the edge. Match the ISO S class across brands rather than the brand name (Sandvik, Kennametal, Iscar, Walter, Seco and Mitsubishi each publish one), then confirm the exact grade for your condition.
- Grade & coating
- Sharp, fine-grain carbide, uncoated or thin PVD. A keen edge matters more than coating.
- Geometry
- Sharp, high positive rake, polished flute; keep the tool moving so the chip thins out, not in.
- Starting parameters
- Vc ≈ 40–90 m/min (higher than Ti-6Al-4V since it is softer, still modest), fn ≈ 0.10–0.25 mm/rev, high-pressure coolant. Confirm in the advisor or on a sample part.
Selection table: commercially pure titanium
| Operation | Geometry | ISO class | Coating family | Coolant | First check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roughing | Sharp, high positive rake, polished flute; keep the tool moving | S (S-class grade) | Sharp fine-grain carbide, uncoated or thin PVD | High-pressure coolant | Heat at the edge: keen edge and coolant |
| Finishing | Sharp, high positive rake, polished flute | S (S-class grade) | Uncoated or thin PVD fine-grain carbide | High-pressure coolant | Galling and built-up edge: raise speed into the band |
| Interrupted cut | Sharp positive edge; never dwell | S (S-class grade) | Fine-grain carbide, uncoated or thin PVD | High-pressure coolant | Long gummy chips: keep feed up for clearable chips |
| Low rigidity / thin wall | Sharp positive geometry so the chip thins out | S (S-class grade) | Fine-grain carbide, uncoated or thin PVD | High-pressure coolant | Change edges early: a worn edge generates heat |
commercially pure titanium: what goes wrong, and what to check first
- Galling and built-up edge
- CP titanium is gummy and smears. Use a sharp positive polished edge, raise the speed into the band, and aim coolant at the edge.
- Heat at the edge
- Low thermal conductivity puts heat in the tool; high-pressure coolant and a keen edge.
- Long gummy chips
- Open the geometry and keep the feed up for clearable chips.
- Fire risk with a dull edge
- As with all titanium, a worn edge generates heat; change edges early and keep coolant flowing.
Reference data
Frequently asked questions
What insert for commercially pure titanium?
A sharp fine-grain carbide, uncoated or thin PVD, with high positive rake. Match the ISO S class across brands and confirm in the advisor.
How does CP titanium differ from Ti-6Al-4V to machine?
CP titanium is softer so it tolerates a slightly higher speed, but it is gummier and galls more, so a keen edge and coolant matter even more.
What cutting speed for commercially pure titanium?
Roughly Vc 40–90 m/min, fn 0.10–0.25 mm/rev, with high-pressure coolant. Confirm on a sample part.
Why does CP titanium gall and smear?
It is soft and gummy; a sharp positive polished edge, adequate speed, and coolant at the edge keep it shearing instead of smearing.
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Grade designations in this group
Each page cross-references the EN, Werkstoffnummer, AISI/UNS and JIS designations for one material, with the ISO machining group it falls in.
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