Grade 2 vs Grade 5 Titanium: What’s the Difference?
Dec 10, 2025
What is Grade 2 Titanium?
Grade 2 titanium is commercially pure titanium, and its main component is titanium (Ti) with a content of not less than 98.9%. Although it contains trace amounts of impurity elements such as iron (Fe), oxygen (O), and carbon (C), it is still a low-alloy structure as a whole, with excellent corrosion resistance and ductility.
Main features of Grade 2 Titanium:
Excellent corrosion resistance: especially in chloride environments, seawater, and acidic solutions.
Good ductility and formability: suitable for cold working, stamping, stretching, and other processing techniques.
Medium strength: The tensile strength is usually around 345 MPa.
Lightweight characteristics: low density, suitable for applications that require lightweight.
High biocompatibility: suitable for medical devices and biological implants.
What is Grade 5 Titanium (Ti-6Al-4V)?
Grade 5 Titanium is the most famous titanium alloy grade. Its standard grade is Ti-6Al-4V, which contains 6% aluminum (Al) and 4% vanadium (V). This is a reinforced alloy material that far exceeds pure titanium in strength, hardness, and heat resistance. It is widely used in aerospace, high-end manufacturing, and precision equipment.
Main features of Grade 5 Titanium:
Extremely high strength: The tensile strength is as high as 900-1100 MPa, which is almost 3 times that of Grade 2 Titanium.
Excellent heat resistance: It can maintain good mechanical properties at temperatures above 400°C.
Good corrosion resistance: Although slightly inferior to Grade 2 Titanium, it still performs well in most industrial environments.
Higher processing difficulty: Special tools and techniques are required for efficient processing.
Higher cost: Due to its alloying elements and improved properties, the price is usually higher than commercial pure titanium.
Difference Between Grade 2 vs Grade 5 Titanium
Equivalent Grades of Grade 2 and Grade 5 Titanium
| Standard | Grade 2 Titanium Equivalent | Grade 5 Titanium Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM (USA) | ASTM B348 Grade 2 | ASTM B348 Grade 5 |
| UNS | R50400 | R56400 |
| ISO | Ti-2 | Ti-6Al-4V |
| EN / DIN | 3.7035 | 3.7165 |
| JIS (Japan) | Type 2 | Type 60 |
| GB (China) | TA2 | TC4 |
Grade 2 Titanium equivalents, such as Ti-2 or TA2 are known for their excellent corrosion resistance and ductility, making them ideal for chemical processing, marine components, and medical devices.
Grade 5 Titanium equivalents like Ti-6Al-4V or TC4 offer superior strength-to-weight ratios and are widely used in aerospace, automotive, and high-performance engineering applications.
Chemical Composition: Grade 2 vs Grade 5 Titanium
| Composition Elements | Grade 2 | Grade 5 / Ti-6Al-4V |
|---|---|---|
| Ti | ≥ 98.9% | Bal |
| O | ≤ 0.25% | ≤ 0.20% |
| Fe | ≤ 0.30% | ≤ 0.40% |
| C | ≤ 0.08% | ≤ 0.08% |
| N | ≤ 0.03% | ≤ 0.05% |
| H | ≤ 0.015% | ≤ 0.015% |
| Al | no | 5.5% – 6.75% |
| V | no | 3.5% – 4.5% |
Physical Properties: Grade 2 vs Grade 5 Titanium
|
Properties |
Grade 2 | Grade 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 4.51 g/cm³ | 4.43 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1665°C | 1660°C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 16.0 W/m·K | 6.7 W/m·K |
| Conductivity | 1.8% IACS | 1.2% IACS |
| Specific Heat | 0.52 J/g·K | 0.526 J/g·K |
| Elastic Modulus (E) | 103 GPa | 113.8 GPa |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | 8.6×10⁻⁶ /K | 8.6×10⁻⁶ /K |
Mechanical Properties: Grade 2 vs Grade 5 Titanium
|
Properties |
Grade 2 Ti | Grade 5 Ti |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (MPa) | ≥ 345 | ≥ 895 |
| Yield Strength (MPa) | ≥ 275 | ≥ 828 |
| Elongation (%) | ≥ 20 | ≥ 10 |
| Hardness(HRB) | 70–80 | 36–44(HRC) |
| Fatigue Strength (MPa) | ~240 | ~510 |
Corrosion Resistance and Weldability
Both grades resist corrosion well, but their performance differs depending on the environment:
Grade 2: Excellent corrosion resistance in seawater, oxidizing acids, and chloride solutions. Ideal for chemical, desalination, and marine systems.
Grade 5: Slightly lower resistance due to alloying elements but performs better in high-temperature and high-stress conditions.
Weldability:
Grade 2: Excellent - no preheat required, easy to weld.
Grade 5: More challenging due to aluminum and vanadium; requires inert gas shielding and controlled parameters.
Other Properties: Grade 2 vs Grade 5 Titanium
|
Properties |
Grade 2 Titanium | Grade 5 Titanium |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Good |
| Weldability | Excellent | Average |
| Machinability | Very Good | Requires special tools and experience |
| Biocompatibility | Very high (commonly used in medical implants) | High (can also be used in medical components) |
| Cost | Lower | Significantly higher |
| Common Application | Chemical, medical, offshore | Aerospace, military, precision manufacturing |
Cost Comparison: Grade 2 vs Grade 5 Titanium Price
Which is more expensive?
Price comparison: In the general market, Grade 5 titanium is typically $40%-60% more expensive than Grade 2 titanium.
The main reasons are: Raw material cost: Alloying elements (aluminum and vanadium) increase the cost.
Manufacturing difficulty: Grade 5 requires more complex process control during melting, forging, and rolling, resulting in higher energy consumption.
Typical Application of Grade 2 vs Grade 5 Titanium
Application of Grade 2 Titanium:
Chemical equipment: reactors, heat exchangers, piping systems, suitable for highly corrosive media.
Marine engineering: hull components, diving equipment, to resist seawater corrosion.
Medical devices: dentures, surgical instruments, human implants.
Environmental protection equipment: electroplating, electrolysis, electrode materials.
Daily necessities: titanium cups, titanium tableware, titanium jewelry.
Application of Grade 5 Titanium:
Aerospace industry: aircraft structural parts, engine parts, fasteners.
Racing cars and high-performance machinery: suspension systems, engine components, brake systems.
Precision manufacturing: 3D printed titanium parts, medical implants, aerospace components.
Military products: missile structures, ship structures.
Which One Should You Choose? Grade 2 vs Grade 5 Titanium
| Factor | Recommended Grade | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Corrosive Environments | Grade 2 | Highest corrosion resistance |
| High Strength Applications | Grade 5 | Superior tensile and fatigue strength |
| Welding or Fabrication Ease | Grade 2 | Excellent weldability |
| Lightweight Structural Design | Grade 5 | Better strength/weight ratio |
| Cost-sensitive Projects | Grade 2 | More affordable |
| Medical or Aerospace | Grade 5 | Certified for implants and flight hardware |
why choose us
We provide a comprehensive range of titanium materials and fabricated parts, including:
Titanium Tubes & Pipe: Seamless and welded tubing in commercial and aerospace grades (Gr1, Gr2, Gr5, Gr7, Gr9, Gr12), suitable for heat exchangers, condenser tubes, and piping systems.
Titanium Bars & Rods: Round bars, hex bars, and square bars in hot-rolled, forged, and cold-drawn conditions, available in various diameters and lengths.
Titanium Plate & Sheet: Plates, sheets, and strips in standard and custom dimensions, ideal for pressure vessels, chemical processing, and marine applications.
Titanium Wire & Foil: Fine wire for welding, fasteners, and medical applications, alongside ultra-thin foil for specialized industrial uses.
Precision Titanium CNC Machining Parts: Custom-engineered components, fittings, flanges, fasteners, and intricate parts machined from titanium billets, bars, or plates with tight tolerances.
For quotes, technical specifications, or to discuss your project requirements for titanium tubes, bars, plates, sheets, wire, foil, or custom CNC machined components, please contact our team.
Email us at: info@gneemetal.com
