Tackling Titanium Alloy Challenges in Mobile Device Manufacturing

The primary obstacle in machining titanium alloys lies in their remarkably low thermal conductivity, making them inherently challenging to cut. While the cutting force required for processing titanium alloys is slightly higher than that for steel of equivalent hardness, the unique physicochemical properties of titanium alloys significantly escalate the difficulty of the cutting process. Characteristics such as low thermal conductivity, small elastic modulus, and high-temperature chemical reactivity contribute to challenges such as elevated cutting temperatures, severe cutting deformation, cold hardening phenomena, and tool adhesion during machining. These factors result in accelerated tool wear, shortened tool lifespan, and direct impacts on part dimensional accuracy and surface roughness, rendering titanium alloys as quintessential difficult-to-machine materials.

Among the various characteristics of titanium alloys, low thermal conductivity is identified as the primary factor complicating the machining process. Most titanium alloys exhibit thermal conductivity levels only around 16% of steel, causing heat to accumulate in the cutting zone during processing. This leads to temperatures exceeding 1000°C, rapidly wearing down tool edges, causing tool breakage, and generating built-up edges. Consequently, tool life is significantly reduced.

The introduction of titanium alloy components in mobile devices poses a challenge to traditional CNC technology. Due to the material properties of titanium alloys, machining titanium products using cutting and grinding processes presents difficulties such as low yield, extended processing times, and high equipment requirements. Taking the example of titanium alloy phone frames, according to data from AiBang Polymer, the overall yield of titanium alloy phone frames is approximately 30%-40%, significantly lower than the 80% yield achieved with aluminum alloy frames. Moreover, the processing time is prolonged, approximately three to four times that of aluminum alloy.

In conclusion, this article highlights the formidable challenges posed by low thermal conductivity in titanium alloys, emphasizing its impact on cutting processes and the resulting implications for the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of machined parts. Additionally, it addresses the specific challenges faced by traditional CNC technology when machining titanium alloy components for mobile devices, shedding light on the hurdles associated with yield rates, processing times, and equipment demands.