heat buildup will be your major obstacle to drilling titanium... AND DO NOT APPLY "OIL"... smh... use a coolant, but NEVER USE "Oil" on the work.
Machinability of Titanium Alloys
Machining of titanium alloys is as demanding
as the cutting of other high-temperature materials.
Titanium components are machined in the forged
condition
The high-chemical reactivity of titanium alloys causes
the chip to weld to the tool, leading to cratering and
premature tool failure. The low thermal conductivity
of these materials does not allow the heat generated
during machining to dissipate from the tool edge. This
causes high tool tip temperatures and excessive tool
deformation and wear.
Titanium alloys retain strength at high temperatures
and exhibit low thermal conductivity. This distinctive
property does not allow heat generated during machining
to dissipate from the tool edge, causing high tool tip
temperatures and excessive plastic deformation wear —
leading to higher cutting forces. The high work-hardening
tendency of titanium alloys can also contribute to the
high cutting forces and temperatures that may lead
to depth-of-cut notching. In addition, the Chip-Tool
contact area is relatively small, resulting in large stress
concentration due to these higher cutting forces and
temperatures resulting in premature failure of the
cutting tool.
The low Modulus of Elasticity (Young’s Modulus) of
these materials causes greater workpiece spring back
and deflection of thin-walled structures resulting in tool
vibration, chatter and poor surface finish. Alpha (α) titanium
alloys (Ti5Al2.5Sn, Ti8Al1Mo1V, etc.) have relatively low
tensile strengths (σT) and produce relatively lower cutting
forces in comparison to that generated during machining
of alpha-beta (α−β) alloys (Ti6Al4V) and even lower as
compared to beta (β) alloys (Ti10V2Fe3Al) and near
beta (β) alloys (Ti5553).
A generous quantity of coolant with appropriate
concentration should be used to minimize high tool tip
temperatures and rapid tool wear. Positive-rake sharp tools
will reduce cutting forces and temperatures and minimize
part deflection.
AND Turn the Drill at a SLOW RPM...high speeds will create more problems, WORK HARDEN the part being drilled, and ruin the drill bit in short order.
https://www.semaforobares.com/
The cutting speed for Titanium is about 1/3 that of steel....
Now, let's think about the correct Drill Bit to use... High speed steel is the standard Drill bit..they work ok, IF COOLED with a steady flow of coolant, or Very Frequent withdrawls/quenchings in a coolant tank. (i use a dog food can filled with ice/water.. an assistant squirting the drill bit with cold water in a spray bottle is Great..;-)
Gold Drill bits are coated with titanium... not a good choice since titanium LOVES to stick to itself when heated...Temps at the cutting edges will exceed 4000F...
Carbide tipped drills will work, but love to chip, especially if only the tips of the drill bit are presented to the workpiece.
Cobalt alloy drill bits work well, if you can obtain them... not easy to find outside of industrial tool wholesalers..
a fine tip is recommended since the Tip of any Drill Works by pushing the material out of the way, causing melting, heat, and possible Work Hardening.
oh, and the micro-dust from titanium drilling is toxic in high concentrations, so be careful and avoid "blowing the chips away from the hole".. we used a small shop vac with a filter to remove the chips.
i know, right? a lot to consider for a couple tiny holes, eh?
Good Luck