Titanium
The highest strength-to-weight ratio of any common metal, plus biocompatibility and outstanding corrosion resistance.
Titanium is nearly as strong as steel at little more than half the weight, resists corrosion in seawater and chlorides, and is biocompatible enough for long-term implants. These properties make it indispensable in aerospace, medical and high-performance applications.
Grade 2 is commercially pure titanium, valued for corrosion resistance and formability. Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) is the dominant alloy, combining high strength with heat-treatability for the most demanding structural and medical parts.
Material properties
| Density | 4.43 g/cm³ |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength (Grade 5) | ~1000 MPa |
| Strength-to-weight | Exceptional |
| Max service temp | ~400 °C |
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent |
| Machinability | Poor (specialist process) |
| Relative cost | High |
Typical values for reference; exact properties depend on grade, temper and heat treatment. Full material certification is provided on every order.
Machinability
Titanium is challenging to machine: its low thermal conductivity concentrates heat at the tool edge, it work-hardens, and it is reactive at high temperature. Successful machining requires rigid setups, sharp carbide tooling, lower cutting speeds with steady feed, and high-pressure flood coolant. See our guide to machining titanium.
Typical applications
Related engineering guides
Frequently asked questions
Grade 2 vs Grade 5 titanium?
Grade 2 is commercially pure with the best corrosion resistance and formability; Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) is much stronger and heat-treatable, making it the standard for structural and load-bearing parts.
Why is titanium more expensive to machine?
Both the raw material and the machining are costly — titanium cuts slowly, wears tooling quickly and demands rigid setups and heavy coolant, all of which add machine time.
Is titanium safe for medical implants?
Yes. Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) and Grade 5 are biocompatible and widely used for implants and surgical devices.