GR1 vs GR2 Titanium
May 20, 2026
What is the difference between pure titanium GR1 and GR2?
| Property | Titanium Grade 1 | Titanium Grade 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Oxygen (max) | 0.18% | 0.25% |
| Iron (max) | 0.20% | 0.30% |
| Yield strength | 170–310 MPa | 275–450 MPa |
| Tensile strength | 240 MPa (min) | 345 MPa (min) |
| Hardness | 120–200 HV | 150–220 HV |
| Elongation | 24% min | 20% min |
Titanium grade 1 has less oxygen. Less oxygen means softer, more flexible, easier to form.
Titanium grade 2 has more oxygen. More oxygen means stronger, stiffer, less forgiving.
Which one is stronger: GR1 or GR2?
GR2 is stronger. About 30-40% higher in tensile strength.
Tensile strength: GR2 at 345 MPa vs GR1 at 240 MPa
Yield strength: GR2 at 275–450 MPa vs GR1 at 170–310 MPa
If your part holds weight or resists pressure, choose GR2.
If you only need corrosion resistance and formability, GR1 is strong enough.
Which one is easier to form and bend?
GR1 is easier to form. It is the standard choice for deep drawing and complex bends.
Lower yield strength = less force needed to bend
Higher elongation (24% vs 20%) = stretches further before cracking
Softer material = less springback
gr1 titanium for deep drawing is a standard application. GR2 is not recommended for deep drawing.
| Application | GR1 | GR2 |
|---|---|---|
| Deep drawing | Yes | Not recommended |
| Complex bends | Yes | Use larger radius |
| Thin-wall tube forming | Yes | Risk of cracking |
| Simple bends and straight pipe | Yes | Yes |
Is GR1 easier to weld than GR2?
Yes, GR1 is easier to weld. The lower oxygen content (0.18% vs 0.25%) produces a more ductile weld zone that is less likely to crack.
| Factor | GR1 | GR2 |
|---|---|---|
| Shielding gas coverage | Standard argon is fine | Need perfect coverage on both sides |
| Fit-up tolerance | More forgiving | Gap must be tight |
| Post-weld cracking risk | Low | Moderate (if shielding fails) |
| Filler metal | ERTi-1 or ERTi-2 | ERTi-2 recommended |
| Color of a good weld | Silver or light straw | Silver only (darker color means rejection) |
People weld GR2 with the same parameters as GR1, get slightly oxidized welds (blue or gray color), and assume it will pass inspection. It won't. GR2 requires more careful gas shielding, slower travel speed, and longer post-flow to protect the cooling weld.
If your shop welds titanium regularly, GR2 is fine. If you are new to titanium or doing field repairs where shielding is difficult, stick with GR1. It tolerates imperfect conditions better.
Which one costs more: GR1 or GR2?
GR1 usually costs $2-5 more per kg.
The reason: titanium grade 1 requires purer raw material. The refining step adds small cost.
But total project cost matters more than material cost per kg.
| Cost factor | GR1 | GR2 |
|---|---|---|
| Raw material | Slightly higher | Standard |
| gr1 titanium price per kg | $2-5 more than GR2 | Benchmark price |
| Fabrication cost | Lower (easier forming) | Higher (more rejects if forming is complex) |
If your part cracks during forming using GR2, you lose far more in labor and scrap than you saved on material. Always test before switching grades to save money.
Which applications use GR1? Which use GR2?
Titanium Grade 1 is used for:
gr1 titanium heat exchanger tubes (thin walls and tight bends)
gr1 titanium reactor liners (uniform forming required)
grade 1 titanium anode/cathode components (clean surface for coating)
gr1 titanium MMO anode substrates (coating adhesion needs consistent surface)
medical grade 1 titanium (ASTM F67 grade 1 for implants and instruments)
Deep drawn parts (cups, housings, bellows)
Chemical processing equipment requiring maximum corrosion margin
Titanium Grade 2 is used for:
Pressure vessels
Piping systems with standard bends
Heat exchanger shells (not tubes)
Structural components
Marine hardware
If your spec calls for ASTM B338 grade 1 or ASTM B861 grade 1, use GR1. Do not substitute.
If your spec calls for ASTM B862 gr1 (welded tube), same requirement - GR1 only.
Can I substitute GR2 for GR1?
Sometimes yes, but test first.
| If you need... | Can GR2 work? |
|---|---|
| Deep drawing | No - expect cracking |
| Tight radius bends | Maybe - test first |
| Straight pipe with no forming | Yes |
| Chemical processing | Yes - both resist corrosion well |
| Medical implant | No - ASTM F67 requires GR1 |
One customer switched from GR1 to GR2 to save material cost. Saved 200onmaterial.Lost200onmaterial.Lost8,000 in scrapped parts. Do the math before substituting.
How do I choose the right grade for my project?
| Your application | Recommended grade |
|---|---|
| Deep drawn cup, housing, or bellows | GR1 |
| Heat exchanger U-tubes | GR1 |
| Reactor liner (formed) | GR1 |
| MMO anode substrate | GR1 |
| Medical implant (ASTM F67) | GR1 |
| Straight chemical transfer pipe | GR2 (or GR1, both work) |
| Pressure vessel | GR2 |
| Structural support | GR2 |
| Marine hardware (no forming) | GR2 (or GR1, both work) |
| Sheet metal part with simple bends | Either - depends on bend radius |
Do not assume stronger is better. GR2 is stronger but less ductile. If your part does not need the strength, GR2 only adds risk during fabrication. Many buyers choose GR1 by default unless they have a specific reason to need GR2.
FAQ
1. Can I weld GR1 to GR2?
Yes, you can weld GR1 to GR2. Use GR2 filler metal (ERTi-2). The weld zone will have properties between GR1 and GR2. Use pure argon shielding on both sides. Clean everything with acetone before welding.
2. What happens if I use GR2 for a deep drawing application?
You will get cracking. GR2's higher oxygen content reduces ductility. The material will not flow evenly. Expect reject rates of 10 to 20 percent or higher. Switch to GR1 and reject rates typically drop below 2 percent.
3. Can I substitute GR2 for GR1 to save money?
Only if your part has no forming requirements. Straight pipe or simple rolled cylinders are fine. Any tight radius bend, deep draw, or complex shape will likely crack. One customer saved 200 dollars on material but lost 8,000 dollars in scrapped parts.
4. Does GR1 cost more than GR2?
Yes, usually 2 to 5 dollars more per kilogram. GR1 requires purer raw material. For most projects, the material cost difference is small compared to fabrication cost. If GR1 saves you 5 percent on reject rates, the higher material cost pays for itself.
5. What is the difference between ASTM B338 grade 1 and ASTM B861 grade 1?
B338 is for heat exchanger tubing. B861 is for general service seamless pipe. B338 has tighter tolerances and requires flattening, flaring, and reverse flattening tests. They are not interchangeable. Check your spec.
6. Is medical grade GR1 (ASTM F67) different from regular GR1?
Yes for medical implants. No for other uses. ASTM F67 has stricter limits on inclusions, surface defects, and trace elements. Regular commercial GR1 will not pass medical regulatory audits. For chemical or marine applications, regular GR1 is fine.
7. Does GR1 work for MMO anodes?
Yes. Grade 1 titanium is the standard for MMO anodes. GR1 has fewer surface oxides and better coating adhesion than GR2. Most MMO anode manufacturers spec GR1 specifically.
8. Can I use GR1 for a heat exchanger shell?
Yes, but you do not need to. The shell sees no forming. GR2 works fine and costs slightly less. For the U-bend tubes, use GR1. For the shell, GR2 is acceptable and more common.
9. What is the difference between titanium CP1 and GR1?
No difference. CP1 is Grade 1. CP2 is Grade 2. CP stands for Commercially Pure. Some suppliers use CP naming instead of ASTM numbers. Same material. Same specs.
