Research on oxidation phenomenon during titanium machining and its prevention

Over the last few decades, titanium alloys have become an important ingredient in many industrial sectors. In fact, titanium with additional characteristics, such as: high strength, heat resistance, low thermal conductivity, light weight and biocompatibility are being more and more used. However, the machining of titanium products tends to result in a thermal oxidation process and the development of a coloured layer. Therefore, a research regarding the thermal oxidation phenomena and its prevention was conducted. In this regard, cutting and grinding processes were experimentally investigated. Subsequently, L-ascorbic acid, a substance used against food oxidation, was used as an agent against oxidation during grinding. The main conclusions of the current study are the following: (1) Causes leading to the thermal oxidation during cutting and grinding were defined, (2) Prevention against oxidation was established by using L-ascorbic acid and strong alkaline water solution, (3) Optimum density of the solution with L-ascorbic acid and strong alkaline water was only 7.5 wt. % for grinding.