Titanium

＞99.3% Purity + Superior electrical conductivity

Introduction

Titanium has a number of material properties that make it the ideal metal for demanding applications. These properties include excellent resistance to corrosion, chemicals and extreme temperatures. The metal also has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.

All of these properties, as well as its high tensile strength, have led to titanium's broad adoption in the aerospace, medical and defense industries.

Steel Subtypes

Grade 2 Titanium

Grade 2 Titanium is an unalloyed titanium consisting of about 99% titanium content. The metal has higher corrosion resistance than Grade 5 titanium but is inferior in strength. From a manufacturing perspective, Grade 2 titanium has good formability and weldability and is commonly used in the fabrication of chemical-processing equipment, marine parts and heat exchangers.

Tensile Strength	Elongation	Hardness	Maximum Temp	Manufacturing Process
49,900 psi	20%	80 HRF	3030 °F	CNC Mill, CNC Lathe

Grade 5 Titanium

Grade 5 Titanium, also known as Ti6Al4V, is the strongest titanium alloy due to its aluminum and vanadium content. It demonstrates excellent corrosion resistance as well as weldability and formability. Common applications for Grade 5 titanium are turbine blades, spacer rings, biomedical implants and more.

Tensile Strength	Elongation	Hardness	Maximum Temp	Manufacturing Process
138,000 psi	14%	334 HRB	3020 °F	CNC Mill, CNC Lathe

Surface Finish

Anodizing

Anodizing improves corrosion resistance, enhancing wear resistance and hardness, and protecting the metal surface. Widely used in mechanical parts, aircraft, and automobile parts, precision instruments, etc.

Polishing

Polishing is the process of creating a smooth and shiny surface, either through physical rubbing of the part or by chemical interference. The process produces a surface with significant specular reflection, but in some materials is able to reduce diffuse reflection.

Powder Coating

Powder coating forms a durable, wear resistant and corrosion resistant layer on the surface of parts. Powder coating can be used to apply colors to parts and is compatible with any metal.

Painting

Painting the surface of a part improves its aesthetic appearance and can provide brand recognition to consumers. In addition, painting can have a protective effect on parts.

Manufacturability

Tolerance

- Standard: (+/-) 125 μm -Achievable: (+/-) 100 μm , (+/-) 50 μm

Wall Thickness

- The minimum wall thickness should be at least 1 mm for machined parts. - 2 mm is suggested for better strength and 2.5 mm for a rigid wall.

Pocket depth

- Pocket depth should be up to 3 times the diameter of the end mill

Engraving

- Engraving is preferable to embossing - For clear, legible text consider fonts such as Arial or Gothic - Design letter strands with a width of at least 2 mm

Internal Radii

- The minimum internal radii possible is 1 mm - In general, internal radii dimensions depend on the depth of pocket being milled

Holes

- Use standard drill bit sizes - Minimum of 1 mm in diameter

Threads

- Use standard metric inserts - Smallest threaded insert possible is M2

Design Recommendations

Though a popular material for its strength, weight and resistance, titanium does present certain challenges when machining. Because of poor heat dissipation and high heats generated in the machining process, titanium can cause faster tool wear than other metals. Grade 5 titanium (or Ti6Al4V) is often recommended for machining because of its processing capabilities and lower cost.