Abstract Near-beta titanium alloys like Ti555.3 are increasingly being used in aeronautics replacing in some critical applications the most common Ti6Al4V. However, these near-beta titanium alloys have a poor machinability rating which needs to be overcome so as to maintain at least the same productivity levels as in Ti6Al4V. This paper presents the machinability results carried out for Ti555.3 compared with the commonly used Ti6Al4V. The aim of this research work is to understand tool wear mechanisms when machining Ti555.3. Analysis of variables such as cutting forces, chip geometry and tool wear shows that: (I) greater difficulty is encounterd when machining Ti555.3 alloy compared with Ti6Al4V alloy which can be machined at higher speeds up to 90 m min −1 ; (II) there was a correlation between the mechanical properties of work material, tool wear, and component forces; (III) the occurrence of the diffusion process leads to the formation of a layer of adhered material composed of Ti and TiC on the tool's rake face for both Ti alloys.