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 some significant differences that could impact the final results. When you choose the titanium grade, it is important to 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. Most often 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, still very moldable, with higher tensile strength, 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, least moldable but with good cold formability. Used in surgical hardware, heat exchangers, and CIP equipment.

Titanium Alloys

Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V): the most common titanium alloy, the workhorse of the aerospace industry, resisting temperatures up to about 315 deg C. Popular for aircraft turbines, structural components, high-performance engine parts, sports equipment, and biomedical implants.

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

Grade 12: strength similar to 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): low-interstitial version of Grade 5 with very 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 titanium grade is the most formable? Grade 1.

Which grade is the strongest commercially pure titanium? Grade 4.

Which grade suits medical implants? Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) per ASTM F136, or Grades 1 and 2 per ASTM F67.

Q: How do you choose between grades of How to Choose the Right Titanium Grade?
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.

Q: What should buyers know about Titanium Alloys?
Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V): the most common titanium alloy, the workhorse of the aerospace industry, resisting temperatures up to about 315 deg C. Popular for aircraft turbines, structural components, high-performance engine parts, sports equipment, and biomedical implants.