This study aimed to investigate the grindability of ternary Ti-20Cr-X alloy with 20 wt% Cr and 1 wt% alloying elements X (X = Nb, Mo, Zr or Fe). The grindability was evaluated using an electric dental handpiece using SiC wheels,with the goal of developing a titanium alloy that exhibited better grindability properties than commercially pure titanium (c.p. Ti). Because c.p. Ti is considered to be difficult to machine and grind, one method to change these attributes is to develop and study titanium alloys. Grindability was assessed by measuring the amount of metal volume removed after 1 min of grinding at each of the four rotational speeds preset on the wheel (500, 750, 1000 or 1200 m/min). Our results indicated that the grinding rate of Ti-20Cr-1Nb was higher than that of c.p. Ti and the other Ti-20Cr-1X alloys at the speed of 750 and 1000 m/min. Moreover, Ti-20Cr-1Nb exhibited a higher grinding ratio than
did the other Ti-20Cr-1X alloys and c.p. Ti at 1000 m/min, which was about 1.2 times higher than that of c.p. Ti. Additionally, Ti-20Cr-1Nb had smaller metal chips and no obvious grinding adhesion when ground at the speed of 1000 m/min. Our research suggests that Ti-20Cr-1Nb exhibited the best grindability, specifically at the grinding speed of 750 or 1000 m/min, and can be considered as a good candidate for CAD/CAM application.