Titanium Grade 1 Strip vs. Titanium Grade 2 Strip: Properties and Applications
Nov 26, 2025
Titanium Grade 1 and Grade 2 strip are the two most commonly used commercially pure titanium strip materials. They share the same corrosion resistance and light weight, but they differ in strength and formability because of their oxygen content. Choosing between them depends on how much forming the strip must survive and how much strength the finished part requires.
What Is Titanium Grade 1 Strip?
Grade 1 strip is unalloyed titanium with the lowest oxygen limit of the CP grades, which makes it the softest and most ductile titanium material available. It is selected where severe forming is required: deep drawing, bending, and spinning. Its corrosion resistance is excellent in a wide range of chemical media, and it welds readily. Grade 1 accounts for only about 10% of total titanium production, because most applications can use the higher strength of Grade 2, so Grade 1 is produced in smaller quantities and is less commonly stocked.
What Is Titanium Grade 2 Strip?
Grade 2 strip, designated UNS R50400, is the workhorse of the commercially pure grades. It has higher strength than Grade 1 while retaining good ductility, weldability, and fabricability, and its corrosion resistance is equal to Grade 1 in most media. It is the most widely used titanium grade overall and is found in aerospace, medical, marine, and chemical processing applications, including heat exchangers, condensers, and structural components.
Chemical Composition
| Element (max, %) | Grade 1 | Grade 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen, N | 0.03 | 0.03 |
| Carbon, C | 0.08 | 0.08 |
| Hydrogen, H | 0.015 | 0.015 |
| Iron, Fe | 0.20 | 0.30 |
| Oxygen, O | 0.18 | 0.25 |
| Titanium, Ti | Balance | Balance |
The practical difference is the oxygen limit: 0.18% maximum for Grade 1 versus 0.25% for Grade 2. Oxygen is an interstitial strengthener, so the lower limit of Grade 1 produces lower strength and higher ductility.
Mechanical Properties per ASTM B265
| Property | Grade 1 | Grade 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength, min (ksi / MPa) | 35 / 240 | 50 / 345 |
| Yield strength, min (ksi / MPa) | 20 / 138 | 40 / 275 |
| Elongation, min (%) | 24 | 20 |
Values are minimums for strip in the annealed condition per ASTM B265. Grade 1 offers about 30% lower strength than Grade 2 but higher elongation, which translates directly into better deep-drawing and cold-forming behavior.
Formability, Weldability, and Corrosion Resistance
Both grades are alpha-phase commercially pure titanium, so both weld easily with ERTi-1 or ERTi-2 filler and proper argon shielding, and both form a stable passive film that gives outstanding resistance to seawater, chlorides, and most organic and oxidizing acids. The differences are quantitative: Grade 1 tolerates more deformation before cracking, which matters for drawn cans, bellows, and complex pressed shapes; Grade 2 delivers roughly 40% more yield strength, which matters where the strip itself must carry load, such as tube walls and structural sections.
Applications
Grade 1 strip
Deep-drawn chemical equipment components and linings
Heat exchanger and condenser foil requiring severe forming
Offshore aquaculture and marine components
Precision instruments and electroplating equipment
Environmental protection equipment
Grade 2 strip
Seawater desalination and power plant heat exchangers
Chemical processing piping, vessels, and linings
Shipbuilding and marine engineering
Medical device components and sports equipment
Aerospace non-structural and ducting parts
Automotive and general industrial fabrication
How to Choose Between Grade 1 and Grade 2 Strip
If the design requires deep drawing or severe cold forming, and the load is light, choose Grade 1 for its ductility.
If the part must carry mechanical load, resist pressure, or survive handling, choose Grade 2 for its higher strength at minimal ductility loss.
If the strip is welded into a structure, both grades weld equally well; choose the grade that meets the structural requirement to avoid paying for unnecessary ductility.
For availability and economy, Grade 2 is stocked far more widely than Grade 1; confirm Grade 1 lead times early in the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Grade 1 and Grade 2 titanium strip?
The main difference is oxygen content, which sets strength and ductility. Grade 1 has lower oxygen, lower strength, and higher ductility; Grade 2 has about 40% higher yield strength with slightly lower elongation.
Which titanium strip grade is more commonly used?
Grade 2 is the most widely used commercially pure titanium grade. Grade 1 accounts for only about 10% of total titanium production because fewer applications require its extreme ductility.
Can Grade 1 and Grade 2 strip be welded together?
Yes. Both are commercially pure alpha titanium and can be welded to each other using ERTi-2 filler, with the weld designed to the lower-strength base metal.
Is Grade 2 strip corrosion resistant in seawater?
Yes. Grade 2 has excellent resistance to seawater and chloride environments and is a standard material for marine heat exchangers and offshore equipment.
Which grade is better for deep drawing?
Grade 1, because its lower strength and higher elongation allow more deformation before cracking. It is the preferred material for drawn and spun components.
Are Grade 1 and Grade 2 strip produced to the same standard?
Yes, both are covered by ASTM B265 for titanium strip, sheet, and plate, with separate chemistry and mechanical property tables for each grade.
