Which Titanium Grade Should You Bet Your Project On?

Two engineers walk into a meeting room. One wants Titanium Grade 2 for its corrosion resistance and formability. The other swears by Titanium Grade 5 — the aerospace darling with brute strength.

They’re both right. And yet, only one will walk away with the perfect choice.

Welcome to the ultimate face-off: Titanium Grade 2 vs Grade 5 — a tale of purity vs power, of versatility vs victory. If you’re an engineer, designer, or buyer trying to figure out which one wins, keep reading. Because this isn’t just about metal — it’s about making smarter decisions for your project, your cost, and even the planet.

1. The Basics: What Are They Made Of?

At first glance, both are titanium. But beneath the surface, there’s a world of difference.

Grade 2 (UNS R50400) – The “Workhorse” of Pure Titanium

  • Composition: Pure titanium with trace elements
  • Strength: Moderate
  • Superpower: Outstanding corrosion resistance
  • Character: Ductile, formable, easy to weld

Grade 5 (UNS R56400 / Ti-6Al-4V) – The Alpha Alloy

  • Composition: 6% Aluminum + 4% Vanadium
  • Strength: 3x higher than Grade 2
  • Superpower: Extreme strength-to-weight ratio
  • Character: Hard, high-performance, difficult to machine but unbeatable in demanding scenarios

2. Property Showdown: Who Outperforms Whom?

PropertyGrade 2Grade 5
Tensile Strength~345 MPa~895–930 MPa
Yield Strength~275 MPa~825 MPa
Elongation20–30%10–15%
Thermal Conductivity16.4 W/m·K6.7 W/m·K
Electrical Conductivity~3% IACS~0.6% IACS
WeldabilityExcellentGood, needs expertise
Density4.51 g/cm³4.43 g/cm³
HardnessRockwell B 70Rockwell C 36
MachinabilityEasyTricky (due to hardness)
👉 Verdict:
Go with Grade 2 for chemical stability, easy fabrication, and marine environments.
Choose Grade 5 when you need durability in extreme conditions like aerospace or medical implants.

3. Application Face-Off: Where Do They Rule?

Titanium Grade 2 (R50400) – Champion of Corrosion

  • Chemical processing plants
  • Bleach production (resistant to wet chlorine)
  • Marine hardware & desalination units
  • Flue Gas Desulphurisation systems (FGD)
  • Heat exchangers
  • Medical surgical tools

Think saltwater, acids, industrial fluids — Grade 2 thrives in them.

Titanium Grade 5 (R56400) – The Industrial Athlete

  • Jet engines, aircraft structures
  • Military defense components
  • High-performance automotive parts
  • Orthopedic implants, prosthetics
  • Sports equipment

When lightweight strength is life-or-death, Grade 5 is your go-to alloy.

4. Cost: Who’s Lighter on the Wallet?

  • Grade 2 is less expensive, easier to process and weld.
  • Grade 5 is costlier (due to alloying and machining complexity), but its superior performance often justifies the investment in mission-critical applications.

Think Long-Term: While Grade 5 may pinch upfront, it reduces the number of parts needed, enhances lifecycle, and cuts downtime costs — making it economically smarter in the long run.

5. Environmental Consideration: Which Grade Is Greener?

✅ Grade 2: Easier to recycle, but may need more frequent replacement.
✅ Grade 5: Lasts longer, reducing the frequency of scrapping and reprocessing.

♻️ Sustainability Insight: Fewer replacements = less environmental impact. Grade 5’s long life contributes to lower carbon footprints in high-load applications.

6. Standards & Specifications

PropertyGrade 2Grade 5
UNS NumberR50400R56400
ASTM SpecB348, B265, B861, B337B348, B265, F136 (medical)
Form AvailableSheets, Plates, Bars, TubesSheets, Plates, Bars, Forgings

✅ 7. When to Use What? – A Quick Decision Guide

RequirementChoose Grade 2Choose Grade 5
Corrosion Resistance✅✅
High Strength❌✅✅✅
Weldability✅✅✅✅ (needs skill)
Cost Efficiency✅✅✅❌
High Temp UseModerate✅✅✅
Machinability✅✅✅❌
Marine / Chemical✅✅✅✅
Aerospace / Medical❌✅✅✅

Conclusion: Don’t Just Pick a Metal. Pick a Mindset.

Titanium Grade 2 and Grade 5 are not rivals — they’re specialists.

Choose Grade 2 when your needs are corrosion-first, cost-conscious, and process-friendly.
Opt for Grade 5 when you’re pushing the limits — high stress, high stakes, and no compromise on performance.

💡 The best engineers don’t just choose the strongest material. They choose the right material — one that aligns with the application, the budget, and the future.

Reach out to Domadia’s team for recommendations or any sort of help.

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