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Titanium

Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5)

Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) is the workhorse titanium alloy and the benchmark for strength-to-weight: 1000 MPa tensile at just 4.43 g/cm³, roughly 60% the density of steel. It pairs that with top-rated corrosion resistance (5/5) and biocompatibility, but carries the highest cost (5/5) and worst machinability (1.5/5) in this set.

How Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) machines

Rated 1.5/5, one of the hardest materials here to cut. Very low thermal conductivity (6.7 W/m·K) traps heat at the edge, and titanium's chemical reactivity and low modulus cause galling, chatter, and rapid tool wear. Run low surface speeds, high feed, sharp uncoated or specialized carbide, rigid fixturing, and copious flood coolant. Fine chips are a genuine fire hazard.

Manufacturing & processing

Primarily CNC machined; also forged and additively manufactured. Weldable by TIG/EBW only under inert gas or vacuum, titanium absorbs oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen when hot and embrittles. It's an alpha-beta alloy heat-treatable by solution-treat-and-age for higher strength. Avoid grinding sparks and accumulating fines. Anodizing adds color and wear resistance.

Typical applications

Aerospace airframe and engine components, fasteners, and brackets; orthopedic and dental implants exploiting biocompatibility; high-performance motorsport and marine parts; pressure vessels and offshore hardware. Chosen wherever weight savings justify the cost and corrosion resistance or biocompatibility is essential.

When to choose it

Choose Ti-6Al-4V when strength-to-weight is paramount and budget allows, or when you need biocompatibility plus high strength. If you need titanium's corrosion resistance but not its strength, the cheaper, more formable CP Grade 2 is better. If weight isn't critical, steel or stainless costs far less.

Suitable surface finishes

Common finishes for Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5): Type II anodizing, bead blasting, electropolishing. Use the finish selector →

FAQ

Why is Ti-6Al-4V so difficult and expensive to machine?
Its thermal conductivity is only 6.7 W/m·K, so cutting heat concentrates at the tool edge instead of flowing into the chip. Combined with titanium's chemical reactivity and low stiffness, this causes rapid tool wear, galling, and chatter. You must run low speeds, high feed, rigid setups, and flood coolant.
Is titanium machining really a fire risk?
Yes, with fine chips and dust. Finely divided titanium is combustible and burns intensely; a glowing chip or grinding sparks can ignite accumulated fines. Use generous coolant to keep temperatures down, clear chips frequently, avoid dry grinding, and keep a Class D extinguisher nearby. Never use water on a titanium fire.
When should I pick Grade 5 over CP Grade 2 titanium?
Pick Grade 5 when you need high strength (1000 vs 485 MPa tensile) and strength-to-weight, as in aerospace or load-bearing implants. Choose Grade 2 when you mainly need corrosion resistance and formability, it bends and welds more easily, machines somewhat better, and costs less.

Property values are typical/nominal for early guidance and vary by temper, grade, supplier and heat treatment. Confirm critical specs against a certified datasheet or with an mfgiq engineer.