What is the Difference Between Grade 5 and Grade 23 Titanium?
Jan 20, 2026
Grade 5 vs Grade 23 Titanium (Ti-6Al-4V & ELI): What's the Difference and Which Should You Choose?
For those unfamiliar with titanium products, it's easy to confuse Grade 5 titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) and Grade 23 titanium (Ti-6Al-4V ELI). While they may look similar, both containing 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium, there are significant differences in their chemical composition, mechanical properties, and applications. In this article, we'll explore these differences to help you understand which material best suits your needs.
Chemical Composition: CP vs. ELI Titanium
Grade 5 Titanium (Ti-6Al-4V)
|
Tensile Strength, min |
Yield Strength(0.2% Offset) min or range |
Elongation in 4D, min, |
Reduction of Area, min |
||
|
ksi |
MPa |
ksi |
MPa |
% |
% |
|
130 |
895 |
120 |
828 |
10 |
25 |
Grade 23 Titanium (Ti-6Al-4V ELI – Extra Low Interstitial)
|
Tensile Strength, min |
Yield Strength(0.2% Offset) min or range |
Elongation in 4D, min, |
Reduction of Area, min |
||
|
ksi |
MPa |
ksi |
MPa |
% |
% |
|
120 |
828 |
110 |
759 |
10 |
15 |
Grade 23 is essentially a low-interstitial version of Grade 5, with fewer interstitial elements like oxygen and nitrogen. This reduction increases its ductility and fracture toughness, making it ideal for medical implants where bio-compatibility is crucial.
Mechanical Properties
Ti-6Al-4V
|
Tensile Strength (min) |
130 ksi (895 MPa) |
|
Yield Strength (min) |
120 ksi (828 MPa) |
|
Elongation in 4D (min) |
10% |
|
Reduction of Area (min) |
25% |
Ti-6Al-4V ELI
|
Tensile Strength (min) |
120 ksi (828 MPa) |
|
Yield Strength (min) |
110 ksi (759 MPa) |
|
Elongation in 4D (min) |
10% |
|
Reduction of Area (min) |
15% |
Strength: Grade 5 offers superior tensile and yield strength, making it ideal for high-stress environments such as aerospace and military applications. Grade 23, while slightly lower in strength, still provides ample performance for most applications, with the added benefit of enhanced fracture toughness.
Fracture Toughness: Grade 5's high strength comes with the downside of potentially more brittle fracture, especially under extreme stress and low temperatures. Grade 23, due to its ultra-low interstitial content, significantly improves fracture toughness, making it less prone to brittle failure. This is particularly beneficial for medical implants where the risk of fracture must be minimized.
Corrosion Resistance: Both alloys are highly resistant to corrosion. However, Grade 23 excels in bio-compatibility due to its reduced oxygen content, which minimizes corrosion-related issues in medical implants.
Applications: Where Each Alloy Excels
Grade 5 Titanium Applications:
Aerospace: Thanks to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, Grade 5 is widely used in aircraft and spacecraft structural components, fasteners, and engine parts.
Marine: Grade 5's excellent corrosion resistance in saltwater environments makes it ideal for shipbuilding and subsea equipment.
Industrial Equipment: This alloy is crucial for high-performance parts in corrosive chemical environments.
Grade 23 Titanium Applications:
Medical Implants: Grade 23 is favored in orthopedics and dental implants due to its superior flexibility, fracture toughness, and enhanced bio-compatibility. It's used in hip and knee implants, dental implants, and other bone fixation devices.
Medical Instruments: Grade 23 is also widely used in surgical instruments, orthotic devices, and other applications where high strength and flexibility are crucial.
Cardiovascular: Grade 23 is ideal for heart valve stents, cardiovascular implants, and other critical heart surgery tools.
Which Titanium Alloy Should You Choose?
The choice between Grade 5 and Grade 23 titanium ultimately depends on your specific application.
For high strength in extreme environments such as aerospace, marine, or industrial use, Grade 5 is the ideal option. Its high tensile strength and excellent corrosion resistance make it perfect for demanding conditions.
For enhanced flexibility and bio-compatibility, especially in medical implants or surgical tools, Grade 23 is the better choice. Its improved ductility and fracture toughness make it superior for applications requiring long-term stability inside the human body.
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