How to Choose the Right Titanium Grade

How to Approach Grade Selection

You have done your research and determined that titanium is the correct metal for your next product. This, however, is just the first step. There are multiple grades of commercially pure titanium and titanium alloys, and you need to be sure that you get the right forms and grades to ensure your project is completed successfully. While all grades are corrosion resistant, strong, and lightweight, there are still significant differences that could impact the final results. When you choose the titanium grade, consider how the metal will be used, what conditions the titanium will be in, and the size of the titanium parts.

Commercially Pure Grades

Grade 1: the softest grade, very formable, with high ductility and necessary impact toughness. Used in plates, tubing, piping, and applications where weldability and formability are important: aerospace, medical, marine, architecture, manufacturing, power, chemical processing, desalination, automotive parts, and airplane structures.

Grade 2: slightly stronger but still very moldable, with higher tensile strength. Very widely available and more affordable. Used in power generation, hydrocarbon processing, exhaust pipe shrouds, and airframe skin.

Grade 3: stronger than grades 1 and 2, good weldability, extremely high corrosion resistance, less moldable. Used in chemical processing, marine applications, and aerospace.

Grade 4: the strongest pure titanium grade but the least moldable, with good cold formability, strength, durability, and weldability. Used in surgical hardware, heat exchangers, and CIP equipment.

Titanium Alloys

Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V): the most common titanium alloy and the workhorse of the aerospace industry. Resists temperatures up to about 315 deg C, strong, lightweight, highly formable, extremely corrosion resistant. Used for aircraft turbines, structural components, high-performance engine parts, sports equipment, and biomedical implants.

Grade 7: the most corrosion resistant of the titanium alloys, with palladium additions improving weldability and formability. Most commonly used in chemical production equipment.

Grade 12: strength similar to the 300 series steels with very high formability and weldability. Used for heat exchangers, chemical manufacturing, marine, and aerospace applications.

Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI): a low-interstitial version of Grade 5 with high tensile and yield strength and unique biocompatibility. Popular for medical and dental applications including surgical staples, ligature clips, pins, and screws, as well as airframe components and ballistic armor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which grade is the most formable? Grade 1, the softest and most ductile commercially pure titanium.

Which grade is the strongest CP titanium? Grade 4.

Which grade is used for medical implants? Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) per ASTM F136, and Grade 1 or 2 per ASTM F67 for pure titanium implants.