Titanium has applications across many industries, from medical supplies to aerospace engineering. Its high resistance to corrosion and durability make it a valuable construction material.

Using titanium isn’t as simple as buying a sheet of it, though. There are many types of titanium available, divided into classifications called titanium grades.

There are dozens of different grades of titanium. Each one is tailored for specific applications. Knowing which grade of titanium you need is vital if you’re using titanium for a project.

Titanium grades can be split into two broad categories: commercially pure titanium and titanium alloys.

Keep reading to learn about the differences between titanium grades.

Commercially Pure Titanium Grades

There are four grades of commercially pure titanium. They are denoted by numbers–so the softest is grade 1, moving up to the hardest at grade 4. Lower grades are more malleable than higher ones.

These four grades are widely used in all manner of industrial projects. They are often seen in the form of tubing, wire, or sheets.

Grade 1 titanium is highly ductile and easier to mold than other grades. This grade is a popular choice for titanium tube suppliers. It’s great for welding and doesn’t corrode easily.

Titanium grade 2 is a bit stronger than grade 1 while maintaining a fair amount of malleability. It’s one of the most common titanium grades, which makes it more affordable than some of the others.

Grade 3 titanium is another step up in strength and corrosion resistance. It’s less common than the first two grades but is better suited to more intense jobs like aerospace construction.

Finally, there’s grade 4 titanium. This is the strongest grade of pure titanium. It has a broad range of uses in aerospace, medical, and other industries.

Titanium Alloys

While pure titanium has a wide variety of uses, there are also several different alloys that use titanium. Many of these are uncommon, only used in niche industries or small amounts.

That said, there are a few titanium alloys that see widespread use, such as grade 5 titanium.

Grade 5 titanium includes aluminum, vanadium, iron, and oxygen in its construction. It is still primarily titanium, though. It’s much stronger than commercially pure titanium, and it’s heat treatable.

This grade of titanium is also considered implant grade titanium, meaning it’s safe to use in medical implants and piercings.

Titanium grade 7 is another popular choice, with properties like grade 2 titanium. It has higher corrosion resistance thanks to the inclusion of palladium.

Grade 9 titanium uses aluminum and vanadium to reach higher strengths than pure titanium. It retains high weldability despite its strength. It’s an excellent compromise between strength and flexibility.

Grade 23 titanium is another common alloy, with a very similar makeup to grade 5 titanium. It mostly differs by being more ductile than grade 5.

Understanding Titanium Grades

Knowing the differences between titanium grades is a necessity if you’re using titanium in any commercial product. From airplanes to body piercings, you need to determine whether to use commercially pure titanium or an alloy.

Are you interested in more applications for titanium or other industrial materials? Visit our technology page for more information!