Effect of β phase fraction in titanium alloys on chip segmentation in their orthogonal machining

β phase fraction in titanium alloys changes their shear band forming tendency, which in turn influences chip segmentation during machining. To investigate this aspect further, orthogonal turning experiments to obtain chip roots were performed on three titanium alloys, with increasing β phase fraction, viz. α, α + β and β rich alloys. Besides microstructure of chip roots, three segment deformation parameters, viz. shear plane length, segment strain and included angle were used as responses. An increase in β phase fraction increases fracture part in a segment formation. Consequently, chip segment formation shows thermal softening leading to shear band formation in α alloys, whereas occurrence of fracture over longer length in the α + β and β rich alloys. A higher β phase fraction increases shear plane length, segment strain but decreases the segment included angle. Finally, chip segmentation frequency has been correlated to the frequency of variation in cutting forces.