Grade 1 Titanium Tube Specifications

Grade 1 titanium is the softest and most ductile of the commercially pure titanium grades. It contains 99.5% titanium with small amounts of iron, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen. Unlike stainless steel or copper alloys, Grade 1 titanium does not rely on a coating or inhibitor to resist corrosion. It forms a natural, stable oxide film that protects against seawater, chlorides, and many chemicals. That is why chemical plants, desalination facilities, and marine engineers choose Grade 1 titanium tube for aggressive environments.

Oxygen and iron are the most closely controlled impurities. Grade 1 has the lowest oxygen among pure titanium grades, which gives it the best formability.

Grade 1 is the softest and most formable titanium grade. If you need to bend, flare, or roll tubes, Grade 1 is easier to work than Grade 2 or Grade 3.

Grade 1 titanium is about half the weight of copper nickel or stainless steel. That saves weight on ships and offshore platforms.

Grade 1 titanium tube is covered by several ASTM standards depending on the application. ASTM B338 is the most common for heat exchanger and condenser tubes.

ASTM B338 Grade 1 titanium tube is available from 6.35mm to 76.2mm outside diameter. Wall thickness ranges from 0.5mm to 5.0mm. Here are common sizes.

Dimensional tolerances：

Grade 1 titanium does not pit in seawater. It does not crack in chlorides. That is why it is specified for the toughest marine and chemical environments.

Q1： What is the difference between Grade 1 and Grade 2 titanium tube?

Grade 1 has lower oxygen and iron, making it softer and more ductile. Grade 2 is stronger but less formable. Grade 1 tensile strength is 240 MPa. Grade 2 is 345 MPa. For bending and flaring, Grade 1 is easier. For pressure rating, Grade 2 is stronger. Many heat exchanger applications use Grade 2, but Grade 1 is preferred when formability matters most.

Q2： Is Grade 1 titanium tube magnetic?

No, Grade 1 titanium is non‑magnetic. This is important for applications near sensitive electronics, medical equipment, or naval vessels where magnetic signatures must be minimized.

Q3： What is the maximum working temperature for Grade 1 titanium tube?

Grade 1 titanium can be used up to 300°C in most environments. Above 300°C, oxidation becomes a concern. For short term exposure, higher temperatures are possible. For continuous high temperature service above 400°C, consider titanium alloys or other materials.

Q4： Can Grade 1 titanium tube be welded?

Yes, Grade 1 titanium is readily weldable using TIG or plasma welding. The weld zone must be shielded with argon to prevent contamination. Oxygen and nitrogen embrittle titanium welds. Use a trailing shield if needed. No preheat or post‑weld heat treatment is required.

Q5： What is the density of Grade 1 titanium compared to stainless steel?

Grade 1 titanium density is 4.51 g/cm³. 316L stainless steel is 7.98 g/cm³. Titanium is about 44% lighter. For the same dimensions, a titanium tube weighs half as much as a stainless steel tube. That saves weight on ships, aircraft, and portable equipment.

Q6： Does Grade 1 titanium tube require cathodic protection in seawater?

No. Grade 1 titanium is passive in seawater. It does not corrode, so it does not need cathodic protection. In fact, titanium is so noble that it can cause galvanic corrosion of less noble metals connected to it. Use isolation when connecting titanium to carbon steel or copper alloys.

Q7： Is Grade 1 titanium tube expensive?

Yes, Grade 1 titanium costs more than stainless steel or copper nickel. Typical price is 3-5x higher per kg. But titanium lasts much longer in aggressive environments, and it is lighter. For a 20‑30 year life in seawater, titanium is often cheaper than replacing cheaper tubes every 5-10 years.

Q8： Can Grade 1 titanium tube be bent and flared like copper tube?

Yes, but titanium is stiffer than copper. You need more force and a proper mandrel. Grade 1 is the most formable titanium grade. For tight bends, use a mandrel bender. For flaring, use a hydraulic flaring tool. Hand tools may not be strong enough.

Q9： What is the thermal conductivity of Grade 1 titanium?

16.4 W/m·K at 20°C. This is lower than copper (385) and stainless steel (15 is similar). For heat exchanger design, you need more surface area than copper but about the same as stainless steel. Titanium's corrosion resistance often outweighs the thermal conductivity disadvantage.

Q10： Does Grade 1 titanium tube meet FDA or food contact requirements?

Yes, Grade 1 titanium is biocompatible and non‑toxic. It is used in food processing and pharmaceutical equipment. No corrosion means no metal ions leaching into the product. Titanium is also used for medical implants because it does not react with body fluids.

Q11： What is the difference between ASTM B338 and ASME SB338?

ASME SB338 is identical to ASTM B338 but is listed in the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. If your heat exchanger needs ASME code stamping, specify ASME SB338. For non‑code work, ASTM B338 is fine.

Chemistry check – Spectrometer verifies titanium 99.5% min, iron under 0.20%, oxygen under 0.18%. Tighter limits than copper. No exceptions.

Mechanical test – Pull a tube until it breaks. Grade 1 needs 240 MPa tensile, 170 MPa yield, 24% elongation. Grade 2 needs higher numbers.

Ultrasonic testing (100% of tubes) – Titanium is not as conductive as copper. Eddy current works but ultrasonic is more reliable. We run every tube through an ultrasonic tank. Any flaw shows up on screen.

Hydrostatic test – For pressure applications, we fill tubes with water and pressurize to customer specified level. No leaks allowed.

Special precautions – Titanium absorbs hydrogen and oxygen. We do not test with dirty water, and we dry tubes immediately after hydrostatic test.

Plastic caps on both ends. Keeps dirt and moisture out.

Chloride‑free VCI paper between tube layers. Regular VCI paper has chlorides that can stain titanium. We use the right type.

Plastic straps or stainless steel straps only. No carbon steel. Carbon steel rusts and rust particles embed in soft titanium.

Shrink wrap around each bundle. Seals out moisture.

Wooden case for small diameters or cut lengths. Wooden pallet with steel bundle for standard 6m tubes.

No stamping or marking on the tube itself. Labels go on the bundle. Waterproof label shows grade (GR1), size, heat number, quantity.

Melting – Vacuum arc remelting (VAR) furnaces. Not open air like copper. Titanium reacts with oxygen.

Billet preparation – Forged or rotary pierced. No extrusion press with copper residue.

Tube reduction – Pilger mills dedicated to titanium only. We do not run copper on the same line.

Annealing – Vacuum or argon atmosphere furnaces. Oxygen turns titanium blue and brittle.

Straightening and cutting – Dedicated rollers and saws. No carbon steel dust.

Testing – Ultrasonic tank with clean water. Dried immediately after.

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