Types of Titanium Alloys: Grades, Properties, and Uses

Titanium is a metal that is growing in demand. This is because it has excellent corrosion resistance and a wide range of desirable mechanical properties. To take advantage of titanium's unique qualities, manufacturers add smaller amounts of other elements to pure titanium to modify the metal's physical properties.

As a result, there are many types of titanium alloys to choose from, as they offer different properties and costs. In this write-up, we discuss the different classifications of titanium alloys and the applications of each of these classifications.

When designing a part or product, it is important to know the strength characteristics of the material for the design and selection of the product. There are different types of titanium alloys available so it's important to have an understanding of all of these properties to use them effectively.

Low Strength

These are alloys of titanium with a yield strength of fewer than 73 KSI (500 MPa). They function in applications that need moderately strong materials. Examples include ASTM grades 1,2,3,7 and 11.

Moderate Strength

These are titanium alloys with yield strength between 73 and 131 KSI (500 and 900 MPa). They ASTM grades 4,5, and 9, Ti-2.5%Cu, Ti-8%Al-1%Mo-0.1%V.

Medium Strength

These are titanium alloys with yield strength between 131-145 KSI (900-1000 MPa). They function in critical applications requiring high-strength properties, good corrosion resistance, and notch toughness at elevated temperatures. Some examples include Ti-6%Al-2%Sn-4%Zr-2%Mo and Ti-5.5%Al-3.5%Sn-3%Zr-1%Nb-0.3%Mo-0.3%Si.

High Strength

High-strength alloys of titanium have tensile strengths between 145 and 174 KSI(1000-1200 MPa). They are resistant to fatigue, creep, and corrosion, making them suitable for demanding applications such as aircraft parts and medical implants.

Very High Strength

Very high-strength alloys have tensile strengths exceeding 174 KSI (1200 MPa). This material class is expensive but offers exceptional performance in demanding applications such as jet engines, rocket motors, spacecraft, and nuclear reactors. Examples include Ti-10%V-2%Fe-3%Al and Ti-4%Al-4%Mo-4%Sn-0.5%Si.

Titanium alloys are available in a wide range of grades, each with its specific properties. The following are some of the most common titanium alloy grades.

Grade 5 Titanium Alloy

Grade 5 is the most common titanium alloy due to its high strength. It is a commonly welding alloy that can function in structural and pressure-containing components. It has high corrosion resistance in both oxidizing and reducing environments.

In addition, it also finds use in the chemical and petroleum industries and the fabrication of offshore drilling platforms. The alloy functions in constructing water treatment facilities, nuclear reactors, and other critical environments requiring a high-strength, low-cost material.

Grade 6 Titanium Alloy

Grade 6 is a commonly welded titanium alloy containing aluminum and tin often used for components exposed to elevated temperatures. In addition to its high-strength properties, the alloy has excellent stability, making it a good choice for airframes and jet engines.

Grade 7 Titanium Alloy

Grade 7 titanium alloy is especially useful for low temperatures and pH applications. This is a result of its extreme corrosion resistance.

Grade 11 Titanium Alloy

Grade 11 is a titanium alloy with good high-temperature strength and high corrosion resistance. The alloy is a raw material for components operating in high temperatures, such as chemical and petroleum processing equipment and manufacturing aircraft engines and airframes. Grade 11 is also used to manufacture turbines, liquid hydrogen storage tanks, and other critical equipment. The alloy is easily fabricated by machining, forging, rolling, and extruding.

Grade 12 Titanium Alloy

It applies to manufacturing aircraft components, such as engine parts, airframes, landing gear, fuel systems, and other critical equipment. The alloy is also used to manufacture cryogenic vessels, heat exchangers, distillation columns, and other equipment operating at high temperatures.

In addition, grade 12 is easily fabricated by machining, forging, rolling, and extruding. Therefore, it is ideal for the manufacture of valves, fittings, and other equipment requiring corrosion-resistant materials.

Grade 23 Titanium Alloy

Grade 23 is a titanium alloy with good ductility and fracture toughness. It functions mostly in the manufacture of medical implants.

Aerospace Industry

Titanium alloys are used extensively in the aerospace industry due to their high strength-to-weight ratio. They are used to make aerospace fasteners, aircraft frames, landing gear assemblies, and jet engines because they can withstand extreme temperatures without corroding or cracking under pressure.

Medical Industry

Titanium alloys are used in medical devices such as artificial joints and hip replacements because they are biocompatible and corrosion-resistant. The metal can be machined into intricate shapes without fracturing or cracking, making it ideal for surgical instruments such as scalpels or forceps. It is also used in dental implants because it does not irritate soft tissues like stainless steel does when implanted into the mouth cavity.

Electronic Industry

Titanium alloys have many uses in electronics because they are highly conductive and resistant to corrosion from most acids and alkalis. This makes them ideal for use as connectors in batteries or other electrical components that require electrical contact with each other but must not corrode over time from exposure to corrosive substances such as salt water.

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