JETgroove - Groovinig and trepanning of titanium aluminides using abrasive waterjets

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Eckart Uhlmann
• Subject Area: Metal-Cutting and Abrasive Manufacturing Engineering
• Term: from 2016 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 317070629

The requirements for energy efficiency and reduction of CO2-Emissions are growing especially within the automotive, aeronautic and power industries. One major contribution for the attainment of high requirements is the development and implementation of high performance materials. Titanium aluminides have a potential for improving combustion engines due to their low density and the constant mechanical properties under high temperatures. However, the application of titanium aluminide is limited by the high tool wear during the machining of this material. For extensive industrial utilisation of the alloy an efficient pre-shaping operation with low tool wear is required. The water jet technology is a suitable manufacturing process for difficult to machine materials, regarding the high and material independent tool life time. Through deliberate combination of radial and axial kerfs in rotational symmetric workpieces an efficient pre-shaping process could be implemented. The fundamental research in the water jet technology adds an efficient manufacturing opportunity to the cutting of titanium aluminide. First results of the research project allow the application of the procedure for rotational symmetric workpieces. Within the next research period the attainable geometric complexity of the workpiece shall be increased.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants