Wear mechanisms of PVD-coated cutting tools during continuous turning of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

•Damage of PVD-coated cutting tool during titanium alloy turning was investigated.•TiN coating on cutting tool wore faster than actual cemented carbide tool.•Damage mode of the coating was fracture without plastic deformation.•Coating damage dependent on interfacial strength with adhered materials.•Diagram for explaining coating damage during titanium alloy turning is proposed.