ISO S — Superalloys & Titanium · S10
S10 — Titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V)
Hardness range: 320–380 HB. 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 — S10
- ISO designation
- S10 (ISO S — Superalloys & Titanium)
- Material
- Titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V)
- Hardness
- 320–380 HB
- 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 Ti-6Al-4V — starting point
- ISO application class
- S (titanium). Match the insert's ISO class, not the brand name. Sandvik, Kennametal, Iscar, Walter, Seco and Mitsubishi each publish S-class grades for titanium — pick by ISO class, then confirm the exact grade for your condition.
- Grade & coating
- Sharp, fine-grain carbide, uncoated or thin PVD (TiAlN). A heavy coated edge traps heat in titanium, so keep the edge keen.
- Geometry
- Sharp positive rake, polished flute, keen edge. Climb-mill and keep the tool moving so the chip thins out, not in.
- Starting parameters (carbide)
- Carbide Vc ≈ 30–60 m/min, fn ≈ 0.10–0.20 mm/rev, generous high-pressure coolant. Typical starting band — confirm in the advisor or on a sample part.
Selection table: Ti-6Al-4V
| Operation | Geometry | ISO class | Coating family | Coolant | First check |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roughing | Sharp positive rake, polished flute; climb-mill, keep the tool moving | S (S-class grade) | Fine-grain carbide, uncoated or thin PVD (TiAlN) | Generous high-pressure coolant | Heat-driven flank and crater wear: hold a modest Vc |
| Finishing | Sharp positive rake, polished flute, keen edge | S (S-class grade) | Fine-grain carbide, uncoated or thin PVD (TiAlN) | Generous high-pressure coolant | Built-up edge: raise Vc into the band, coolant at the edge |
| Interrupted cut | Sharp positive edge; climb-mill so the chip exits thin | S (S-class grade) | Fine-grain carbide, thin PVD | Generous high-pressure coolant | Chip welding and re-cut: keep the feed steady |
| Low rigidity / thin wall | Keen edge, positive rake; never let the tool dwell | S (S-class grade) | Fine-grain carbide, thin PVD | Generous high-pressure coolant | Change inserts early: a worn edge risks glowing chips |
Ti-6Al-4V: what goes wrong, and what to check first
- Heat-driven flank and crater wear
- Titanium's low conductivity puts the heat into the tool. Keep a sharp edge, use high-pressure coolant, hold a modest Vc, and replace edges early. See the tool-wear guide.
- Built-up edge and smearing
- Titanium welds to the edge at low speed. Raise Vc into the band, use a sharp positive polished geometry, and aim coolant at the edge.
- Chipping from chip welding / re-cut
- Never let the tool dwell. Climb-mill so the chip exits thin, and keep the feed steady.
- Glowing chips with a dull edge
- A worn edge generates heat and risks a fire. Change inserts early and keep coolant flowing.
Reference data
Frequently asked questions
What insert should I use for Ti-6Al-4V?
Use a sharp fine-grain carbide, uncoated or thin-PVD, with high positive rake in the ISO S class. Match the ISO S class across brands rather than the brand name and confirm the exact grade in the advisor.
What cutting speed for titanium Ti-6Al-4V with carbide?
Roughly Vc 30–60 m/min and fn 0.10–0.20 mm/rev with generous high-pressure coolant. Treat this as a starting band and confirm on a sample part.
Why does titanium build up on the edge and smear?
Titanium welds to the cutting edge at low speed. Raise the speed into the working band, use a sharp positive polished geometry, and aim coolant directly at the edge.
How do I stop rapid tool wear when machining titanium?
Keep a sharp edge, use high-pressure coolant, hold a modest speed, climb-mill, keep the tool moving, and replace edges early before the heat runs away.
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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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