How to optimize the cutting speed in aluminum alloy turning processing?

2026-08-15 11:13:10

Cutting speed is the most critical parameter for aluminum alloy turning. The industry consensus is that aluminum alloy cutting can effectively suppress the formation of chip tumors in high-speed ranges. But the specific value of "high speed" depends on the alloy grade and tool material.

1. Classify by alloy grade

Pure aluminum and soft aluminum alloys: The cutting speed can be controlled between 400-600 m/min. Pure aluminum ground is softer, and excessive speed can easily cause tool softening.

Silicon containing aluminum alloys (such as 6061, 7075): cutting speed reduced to 200-300 m/min. Silicon particles can exacerbate tool wear, and excessive speed can accelerate tool failure.

Hard alloy cutting tools: The speed can be increased appropriately (3-5 times higher than high-speed steel cutting tools), but the temperature needs to be monitored.

PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond) cutting tools: suitable for large-scale, high-precision machining, with cutting speeds up to 800-1200 m/min, and wear resistance more than 100 times that of hard alloys.

2. Differentiation between rough and fine cars

According to authoritative textbooks, the speed range for traditional turning of aluminum alloys is relatively conservative

Coarse car: VC=60-100 m/min

Precision car: VC=40-50 m/min

This range is a safe choice for conventional hard alloy cutting tools on traditional lathes. Modern CNC lathes, when paired with high-quality hard alloy or PCD cutting tools, are fully capable of increasing speed to the higher range mentioned above.

The higher the speed, the better. Early attempts to increase the speed to 200m/min resulted in severe chip buildup - this is because when the cutting temperature is not sufficient to allow the chips to slide smoothly, it actually exacerbates the chip buildup. But too low a speed is also not acceptable. When the cutting fluid concentration is insufficient, aluminum chips will weld to the front cutting surface of the tool, forming chip lumps.

3. Nisshin Impact's Experience in Speed Optimization

Nicheng follows the following speed optimization logic in aluminum alloy turning processing:

6061 universal aluminum alloy+hard alloy cutting tools+CNC lathe → Priority is given to using the 200-300 m/min range, balancing efficiency and chip suppression

7075 high silicon aluminum alloy → Reduce the speed to below 200-300 m/min to avoid silicon particles exacerbating tool wear

Pure aluminum processing → cutting speed controlled at 400-600 m/min

Mirror finish machining+PCD cutting tool → can be extended up to 800-1200 m/min

Car interior groove, chamfering, cutting → cutting speed should be appropriately reduced